Understanding the formation and function of fat tissue is essential for tackling obesity and related metabolic disorders. However, the behavior of adipose tissue, commonly known as body fat, varies depending on its location within the body.
Take, for example, the omentum: a large, apron-like fatty tissue hanging from the stomach that covers organs within the peritoneum, such as the stomach and intestines. It not only stores fat but also plays roles in immune regulation and tissue regeneration.
Omental adipose tissue is associated with the “apple” body shape, which emerges when this fat depot expands significantly, increasing the risk for metabolic diseases. This expansion is not due to the formation of new fat cells, a process known as adipogenesis, but mostly through the enlargement of existing cells, a process called hypertrophy. This can lead to chronic inflammation and
The researchers used advanced single-cell DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.04.017
The study was funded by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Fondation Leenaards, Personalized Health and Related Technologies (PHRT), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).