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Related Concept Videos

Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

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Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
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Adipo-epithelial transdifferentiation: old data and new perspectives.

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  • 1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center for Obesity, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.

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|November 12, 2025
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Summary

The adipose organ exhibits remarkable plasticity, reversibly forming milk-producing cells during pregnancy (pinking). Key molecular players like ELF5 and GATA3 are identified, with potential links to breast cancer.

Keywords:
adipose organbrown adipocytespink adipocytestransdifferentiationwhite adipocytes

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Area of Science:

  • Adipose tissue biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Cellular plasticity

Background:

  • Adipose tissue functions as an organ with distinct white (energy storage) and brown (heat production) types.
  • These tissues undergo reversible transformations (browning, whitening) in response to environmental and metabolic cues.
  • The adipose organ displays plasticity, including reversible adipo-epithelial transdifferentiation during pregnancy (pinking).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and support the phenomenon of adipose tissue pinking (reversible adipo-epithelial transdifferentiation) during pregnancy.
  • To identify molecular players involved in the pinking process.
  • To explore potential functional relationships between pinking and breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Morphological analysis (including electron microscopy)
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lineage tracing
  • Explant cultures
  • In vitro studies
  • Microarray analysis

Main Results:

  • Morphological and molecular data support the phenomenon of adipose tissue pinking.
  • Four key molecular players identified: E74-like ETS transcription factor (ELF5), osteopontin, GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), and Mir200c.
  • Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is also implicated.
  • Mice lacking these molecules show impaired pregnancy-related alveologenesis.
  • Evidence suggests a functional link between the onco-suppressor gene breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and adipo-epithelial transdifferentiation.

Conclusions:

  • The adipose organ demonstrates significant plasticity, including reversible adipo-epithelial transdifferentiation during pregnancy.
  • Specific molecular pathways involving ELF5, GATA3, osteopontin, Mir200c, and PTHrP regulate this process.
  • The connection between adipose tissue plasticity, specifically pinking, and breast cancer warrants further investigation.