Fig. 5: Effects of AQP7 deficiency on adipogenesis and adipocyte function.

A Adipogenesis of the MEFs was assessed using oil red staining and fluorescence, over a period of 12 days to assess lipid accumulation and morphology. B No differences in lipid accumulation are observed between genotypes by the end of adipogenesis. C Adipocytes derived from Aqp7^−/− MEFs are significantly larger compared to those from Aqp7^+/+ mice. D The expression of AQP7 begins on day 3 and progressively increases as adipocytes mature. E Aqp7 deficiency leads to significant changes in the expression of transcription factors C/ebpa and Pparγ. F Aqp7^−/− adipocytes show altered lipid enzyme expression, including a marked decrease in hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which is involved in lipolysis. G Aqp7^−/− adipocytes exhibit a disrupted balance of adipokine expression, with decreased adiponectin (Adipoq) and increased resistin (Retn), along with defective induction of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). H Functionally, Aqp7^−/− adipocytes show a significant decrease in their capacity to release glycerol, with elevated lactate levels in the supernatant. Significant differences between groups were assessed by t-test (C), where the differences due to time points were assessed by one-way ANOVA (D) and the differences between genotype, time point or their interactions, were determined by two-way ANOVA (B, E–H): *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.