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Adipocytes, also known as lipocytes and fat cells, are the cells that primarily compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat. [1] Adipocytes are derived from mesenchymal stem cells which give rise to adipocytes through adipogenesis. In cell culture, adipocyte progenitors can also form osteoblasts, myocytes and other cell types.
Adipose tissue (also known as body fat or simply fat) is a loose connective tissue composed mostly of adipocytes. [1] [2] It also contains the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells including preadipocytes, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and a variety of immune cells such as adipose tissue macrophages.
There exist several distinct subpopulations of adipose tissue macrophages that are different in terms of both origin and function. In healthy, lean mice, nearly all macrophages are located on the outer side of blood vessels, in tight contact with adipocytes and other cells in the tissue. [3]
Both adipocytes and brown adipocyte may be derived from pericytes, the cells which surround the blood vessels that run through white fat tissue. [ 3 ] [ 20 ] Notably, this is not the same as the presence of Myf5 protein, which is involved in the development of many tissues.
Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that secretes numerous protein hormones, including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. [1] These hormones generally influence energy metabolism, which is of great interest to the understanding and treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
White adipose tissue is composed of monolocular adipocytes. In humans, the healthy amount of white adipose tissue varies with age, but composes between 6–25% of body weight in adult men and 14–35% in adult women.
The cAMP activates protein kinases, which phosphorylate and thus activate hormone-sensitive lipases in the adipocyte. These lipases cleave free fatty acids from their attachment to glycerol in the lipid droplet of the adipocyte. The free fatty acids and glycerol are then released into the blood.
Reticular cells are the fibrocytes of reticular connective tissue and form a network of reticular fibers. Adipocytes are fat cells that are fixed cells in loose connective tissue. Their main function is the storage of lipid. Macrophages arise from monocytes. Monocytes originate in the bone marrow upon which they are released into the blood stream.