SOX4 Reprograms Adipose Stromal Cells into a Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-like State to Drive Metabolic Disease

Abstract

Pathogenic adipose tissue remodeling promotes metabolic disease in obesity, but the mechanisms that establish this unhealthy tissue state remain poorly understood. Here, we show that obesity drives SOX4-dependent reprogramming of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into cancer-associated fibroblast-like (CAF-like) cells that promote adipose tissue dysfunction. TGF{beta} signaling is elevated in obesity and activates SOX4 in mouse and human MSCs, inducing their conversion to a CAF-like state. In mice, MSC-specific SOX4 activation induces the CAF-like program and exacerbates adipose tissue inflammation and glucose intolerance, whereas Sox4 deletion attenuates inflammation and improves glucose homeostasis during obesity. We further identify the growth factor Midkine (MDK) as a SOX4-regulated paracrine effector produced by CAF-like cells. MDK inhibition in obese mice reduces adipose tissue inflammation and improves metabolic function. Together, these findings define a TGF{beta}-SOX4-MDK stromal signaling axis that drives pathological adipose tissue remodeling in obesity and highlight this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for improving metabolic health.