Adipose: Development and Regeneration Potential

Human adipose tissue serves as an important endocrine and metabolic organ. Adipose tissue is a complex tissue composed mainly of mature adipocytes surrounded by a connective tissue matrix, in addition to stromovascular cells, nerve tissue, and immune cells. Together, these components play an important role in insulating the body, storing energy as lipids, and producing and metabolizing hormones. By secreting factors such as leptin, resistin, estrogen, and cytokines, adipocytes act as the major component of a highly active endocrine organ that targets various tissues in the body to maintain homeostasis. A lack or complete absence of adipose tissue (lipodystrophy) or overproduction of adipose tissue (obesity) can result in metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and hypertriglyceridemia. The plastic nature of ...