Adipose tissue plasticity: how fat depots respond differently to pathophysiological cues

Area of Science:

• Adipose tissue biology
• Metabolic regulation
• Obesity pathophysiology

Background:

• White adipose tissue (WAT) is crucial for energy balance and insulin sensitivity.
• WAT expands via hypertrophy and precursor cell proliferation, but sustained obesity leads to fibro-inflammation, impairing function and increasing disease risk.
• Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and WAT browning show therapeutic promise by counteracting lipotoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize mechanisms of adipose tissue (AT) plasticity and function.
• To discuss the cellular complexity of different adipose depots.
• To review recent insights into AT origins, precursor identification, adipogenesis regulation, and WAT/BAT expandability in obesity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current research on adipose tissue biology.
• Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms governing adipocyte development and expansion.
• Discussion of pathophysiological aspects of obesity and related comorbidities.

Main Results:

• Adipose tissue plasticity involves adipocyte hypertrophy, precursor cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling.
• Fibro-inflammation in WAT during obesity compromises metabolic function.
• BAT and WAT browning exhibit anti-lipotoxic effects.

Conclusions:

• Understanding AT plasticity, cellular origins, and adipogenesis regulation is key to addressing obesity and associated diseases.
• Targeting WAT browning and BAT function presents a potential therapeutic strategy.
• Further research into AT depot-specific characteristics and expansion mechanisms is warranted.