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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells

Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells

Published on: March 28, 2013

White, brown, beige/brite: different adipose cells for different functions?

Marta Giralt¹, Francesc Villarroya

¹Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Diagonal 643, E-08028-Barcelona, Spain.

|June 21, 2013

Summary

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat and may protect against obesity. Adult humans show high BAT activity, with "browning" of white fat creating new brown fat cells for energy expenditure strategies.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells

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Localization, Identification, and Excision of Murine Adipose Depots

Localization, Identification, and Excision of Murine Adipose Depots

Published on: December 4, 2014

Area of Science:

Adipose tissue biology
Thermogenesis
Obesity research

Background:

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is crucial for nonshivering thermogenesis and may prevent obesity.
Recent studies reveal significant BAT activity in adult humans, challenging previous assumptions.
Brown adipocytes originate from distinct precursor cells, leading to
classical
and
beige/brite
types.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the origins and differentiation of brown adipocytes.
To investigate the
browning
process in white adipose tissue (WAT).
To understand the role of novel factors in BAT activation and WAT browning for obesity management.

Main Methods:

Analysis of cell differentiation pathways in adipose tissue.
Radiodiagnosis to assess BAT activity in humans.
Comparative study of classical BAT and WAT browning mechanisms.

Main Results:

Brown adipocytes arise from both myogenic precursors (classical BAT) and WAT precursors (beige/brite).
WAT can undergo
browning
through inducible brown adipocyte formation, potentially via transdifferentiation.
Both classical BAT and beige/brite adipocytes exhibit thermogenic function, with shared and distinct induction mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Understanding brown adipocyte biology is key to developing strategies against obesity.
Adult human BAT comprises primarily beige/brite adipocytes, with some classical BAT persistence.
Targeting BAT activation and browning offers a promising avenue for increasing energy expenditure.