Search for the preadipocyte progenitor proceeds to a new dimension

Authors: Hausman, Gary; HAUSMAN, DORTOTHY - UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2006
Publication Date: 12/1/2006
Citation: Hausman, G.J., Hausman, D.B. 2006. Search for the preadipocyte progenitor proceeds to a new dimension. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 116(12):3103-3106.

Interpretive Summary: The development and function of fat cells is important to many species including swine. In particular, the number of fat cells is important as is the source of new fat cells since fat cell number represents a major contribution to fat tissue mass. Fat cell precursors may arise from the bone marrow in addition to fat tissue per se which has opened a new dimension to the study of fat cell precursors. Identifying all the potential sources of new fat cells is important to be able to eventually control fat cell development and fat mass in pigs.

Technical Abstract: Increases in adipocyte number represent a major contribution to the expansion in adipose tissue mass characteristic of obesity induced by either diet, genetics or hormones in man and animals. The identity and regulation of the adipocyte precursor cell, or preadipocyte, and the preadipocyte precursor cell, or progenitor cell, have been intensely studied for many years. In this issue of JCL, Crossno et al. reports that an increase in adipocyte number may also be attributable to non-resident progenitor cells. They showed that either rosiglitazone treatment or a high fat diet promoted the trafficking of circulating bone marrow-derived progenitor cells into adipose tissue where they became multilocular adipocytes. This adds a new and unexpected dimension to this research arena.