Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
06:31
Identification and Dissection of Diverse Mouse Adipose Depots
Published on: July 11, 2019
The adipose organ at a glance
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti-University of Ancona (Politecnica delle Marche), 60020 Ancona, Italy. cinti@univpm.it
Disease Models & Mechanisms
|August 24, 2012
Summary
The adipose organ contains white adipocytes for energy storage and brown adipocytes for thermogenesis. This review explores how these cells can change (transdifferentiate), which is key to managing obesity and related conditions.
Area of Science:
- Adipose tissue biology
- Cellular plasticity
- Metabolic health
Background:
- The adipose organ comprises white adipocytes (energy storage) and brown adipocytes (thermogenesis).
- Both adipocyte types can originate from endothelial cells and coexist within fat depots.
- This coexistence is proposed as crucial for the adipose organ's plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the adipose organ's anatomy, cytology, physiology, and histopathology in obesity.
- To highlight the adipose organ's plasticity, including adipocyte transdifferentiation theories.
- To emphasize the medical relevance of white-to-brown adipocyte transdifferentiation for obesity and co-morbidities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of adipose organ anatomy, cytology, and physiology.
- Discussion of histopathology in obesity.
- Exploration of theories on adipocyte transdifferentiation (e.g., cold exposure, exercise, lactation, obesity).
Main Results:
- Adipose organ plasticity is demonstrated through adipocyte transdifferentiation.
- White-to-brown adipocyte transdifferentiation is a key mechanism.
- Animal data suggest 'browning' of adipose tissue improves obesity resistance and curbs co-morbidities.
Conclusions:
- The adipose organ exhibits significant plasticity, with adipocyte transdifferentiation being a central feature.
- White-to-brown adipocyte transdifferentiation holds therapeutic potential for combating obesity and metabolic disorders.
- Understanding adipose organ plasticity is vital for developing strategies against obesity-related diseases.
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