From heterogeneity to plasticity in adipose tissues: site-specific differences

Area of Science:

• Adipose tissue biology
• Stem cell research
• Cellular plasticity

Background:

• Mammals possess white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), with WAT further divided into subcutaneous and internal depots.
• Previous research highlighted the plasticity and differentiation potential of subcutaneous WAT, but a comparative analysis of SVF cell heterogeneity and potential based on fat pad location was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the heterogeneity of stroma-vascular fraction (SVF) cells and their differentiation potentials across different adipose tissue depots (WAT vs. BAT, subcutaneous vs. internal WAT).
• To identify the adipose tissue depot with the greatest stem cell potential.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of antigenic features and cell populations within WAT and BAT SVF.
• Assessment of the differentiation potential of SVF cells from different adipose tissue depots into various cell types (osteoblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, etc.).

Main Results:

• WAT and BAT exhibit distinct antigenic profiles and differentiation capacities.
• WAT contains a significant population of hematopoietic cells (macrophages, progenitors) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like cells, unlike BAT.
• Inguinal WAT demonstrated the highest plasticity, yielding osteoblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, hematopoietic cells, and cardiomyoblasts, while BAT SVF showed reduced plasticity.

Conclusions:

• Adipose tissues are complex, with cell subsets varying by fat pad location.
• Inguinal WAT is identified as the most plastic adipose tissue and a promising source for stem cell therapy due to its easy accessibility.