| abstract |
Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating energy metabolism and weight in mammals, in particular by modulating thermogenesis associated with brown fat, including thermogenesis by brown fat or brown fat cells, adaptive thermogenesis by brown fat or brown fat cells, thermogenic capacity of brown fat or brown fat cells, or a combination thereof. More specifically, methods and compositions provided herein for treating or preventing obesity, or methods and compositions for identifying compounds effective for treating or preventing obesity are taught in connection with ligands such as B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), their receptors, and molecules that modulate the interactions between the ligands and receptors. |