Jun Wu Lab

We seek to understand the formation and activation of thermogenic fat cells — cells that convert chemical energy into heat — and their potential to fight obesity.

Our Research

Thermogenic fat cells that convert chemical energy into heat are present in both mice and humans. Recent years have witnessed a great advancement in our understanding of the regulation of these adipocytes and an increased appreciation of the potential these cells have to counteract obesity. 

Our research aims to understand the formation and activation of these fat cells and reveal how they may influence systemic metabolism.

Jun Wu, Ph.D.

Jessica Schwartz Collegiate Professor in the Life Sciences
Research Associate Professor, U-M Life Sciences Institute
Associate Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, U-M Medical School
Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, U-M Medical School

Publication Highlights

Signaling through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the liver protects against the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Jun H, Liu S, Knights AJ, Zhu K, Ma Y, Gong J, Lenhart AE, Peng X, Huang Y, Ginder JP, Downie CH, Ramos ET, Kullander K, Kennedy RT, Xu XZS, Wu J, PLOS Biology (2024)

CHRNA2: A new paradigm in beige thermoregulation and metabolism

Ma Y, Liu S, Jun H, Wu J, Trends in Cell Biology (2022)

Acetylcholine-synthesizing macrophages in subcutaneous fat are regulated by b2-adrenergic signaling

Knights AJ, Liu S, Ma Y, Nudell VS, Perkey E, Sorensen MJ, Kennedy RT, Maillard I, Ye L, Jun H, Wu J, EMBO Journal (2021; cover story)

Adrenergic-independent signaling via CHRNA2 regulates beige fat activation

Jun H, Ma Y, Chen Y, Gong J, Liu S, Wang J, Knights AJ, Qiao X, Emont MP, Xu XZS, Kajimura S, Wu J, Developmental Cell (2020)

An immune-beige adipocyte communication via nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling

Jun H, Yu H, Gong J, Jiang J, Qiao X, Perkey E, Kim DI, Emont MP, Zestos AG, Cho JS, Liu J, Kennedy RT, Maillard I, Xu XZS, Wu J, Nat Med. (2018)

Cinnamaldehyde induces fat cell-autonomous thermogenesis and metabolic reprogramming

Jiang J, Emont MP, Jun H, Qiao X, Liao J, Kim DI and Wu J, Metabolism (2017)

Using a 3D Culture System to Differentiate Visceral Adipocytes In Vitro

Emont MP,  Yu H,  Jun H,  Hong X,  Maganti N,  Stegemann JP,  Wu J, Endocrynology (2015)

Beige adipocytes are a distinct type of thermogenic fat cell in mouse and human

Wu J, Boström P, Sparks LM, Ye L, Choi JH, Giang AH, Khandekar M, Virtanen KA, Nuutila P, Schaart G, Huang K, Tu H, van Marken Lichtenbelt WD, Hoeks J, Enerbäck S, Schrauwen P, Spiegelman BM, Cell (2012)

Room 5115
Life Sciences Institute
Mary Sue Coleman Hall
210 Washtenaw Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2216