title: Emerging Complexities in Adipocyte Origins and Identity.
abstract: The global incidence of obesity and its comorbidities continues to rise along with a demand for novel therapeutic interventions. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is attracting attention as a therapeutic target because of its presence in adult humans and high capacity to dissipate energy as heat, and thus burn excess calories, when stimulated. Another potential avenue for therapeutic intervention is to induce, within white adipose tissue (WAT), the formation of brown-like adipocytes called brite (brown-like-in-white) or beige adipocytes. However, understanding how to harness the potential of these thermogenic cells requires a deep understanding of their developmental origins and regulation. Recent cell-labeling and lineage-tracing experiments are beginning to shed light on this emerging area of adipocyte biology. We review here adipocyte development, giving particular attention to thermogenic adipocytes.
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Gurmaches
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
authors.forename: Chien-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Electronic address: david.guertin@umassmed.edu.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Guertin
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009928:Organ Specificity; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology
keywords: UCP1; adipose tissue development; beige adipocyte; brite adipocyte; brown adipocyte; lipodystrophy; obesity; thermogenesis; white adipocyte