Shuai Yan shows IRF3 reduces adipose thermogenesis via ISG15-mediated reprogramming of glycolysis

How does inflammation decrease adipose thermogenesis? Shuai Yan’s paper ( IRF3 Reduces Adipose Thermogenesis via ISG15-mediated Reprogramming of Glycolysis) in the Journal of Clinical Investigation demonstrates one critical mechanism. Shuai showed that IRF3 in adipocytes drives a transcriptional program that includes ISG15, a ubiquitin-like molecule. ISG15 binds covalently to glycolytic enzymes, reducing lactate production, which is critical for thermogenesis.