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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Expansion and Adipogenesis Induction of Adipocyte Progenitors from Perivascular Adipose Tissue Isolated by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting
Published on: June 30, 2017
Developmental origin of adipocytes: new insights into a pending question
Nathalie Billon1, Miguel Caetano Monteiro, Christian Dani
1Institut de Recherche, Signalisation, Biologie du Développement et Cancer, CNRS UMR 6543, Centre de Biochimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Nice, France. billon@unice.fr
Abstract:
The current epidemic of obesity has caused a surge of interest in the study of adipose tissue formation. Much progress has been made in defining the transcriptional networks controlling the terminal differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. However, the mechanisms that direct MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) down the adipocyte lineage remain largely unknown. Similarly, although adipocytes are generally described to derive from mesoderm, the study of the developmental origin of MSCs and adipose tissues has been largely disregarded until now. Functional variations do exist between different adipose tissues, which suggest possible differences in their developmental origin and might explain why some depots are more associated than other to metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the surprising findings that have recently emerged from both embryonic stem cells and lineage-tracing studies in vivo, unravelling an unsuspected developmental origin for MSCs and adipocytes in the neural crest.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and adipocytes, crucial for adipose tissue, surprisingly originate from the neural crest, not mesoderm. This discovery impacts understanding of obesity and metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Obesity epidemic drives interest in adipose tissue formation.
- Transcriptional networks for adipocyte differentiation are known, but MSC lineage commitment is unclear.
- Adipose tissue developmental origins and variations are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the developmental origin of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and adipocytes.
- To explore the implications of varied adipose tissue origins in metabolic disorders.
- To highlight the role of neural crest in adipocyte lineage.
Main Methods:
- Review of embryonic stem cell studies.
- Analysis of in vivo lineage-tracing studies.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and adipocytes demonstrate an unexpected origin from the neural crest.
- Evidence suggests distinct developmental pathways for different adipose tissue depots.
- Functional variations in adipose tissue correlate with developmental origins.
Conclusions:
- The neural crest is an unappreciated source for MSCs and adipocytes.
- Understanding adipose tissue origins is key to addressing metabolic disorders.
- Further research into developmental pathways can inform obesity interventions.
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