Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
10:51
Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
Published on: April 23, 2021
New Frontiers in modeling the lipedema microenvironment in vitro
Khushi Soni1, Rosalyn D Abbott1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Lipedema, a chronic adipose tissue disorder affecting 10% of women, involves disproportionate fat accumulation. This review examines its pathology and potential therapeutic avenues using advanced adipose tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Lipedema is a prevalent yet understudied chronic adipose tissue disorder affecting primarily women.
- It is characterized by symmetrical fat accumulation in extremities and often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema.
- The condition significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of lipedema pathogenesis.
- To explore clinical, tissue, and cellular aspects of the disease.
- To examine potential pathological mechanisms and novel research platforms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on lipedema.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and tissue/cellular characteristics.
- Exploration of adipose tissue engineering techniques for disease modeling.
Main Results:
- Lipedema involves hormonal influences (e.g., estrogen), adipocyte hypertrophy/hyperplasia, ECM fibrosis, and M2 macrophage infiltration.
- Adipose tissue engineering platforms like organoids and fat-on-a-chip are emerging tools.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer potential for studying lipedema.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to elucidate lipedema pathogenesis.
- Advanced adipose tissue engineering provides promising avenues for studying lipedema.
- Improved understanding may lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
