White Fat Progenitor Cells Reside in the Adipose Vasculature

TLDR

White adipose tissue regulates metabolism, reproduction, and lifespan, with adipocytes expanding mainly after birth in coordination with the vasculature, yet the in‑vivo identity and location of white adipocyte progenitors remain unknown. Genetically marked mice were used to isolate proliferating and renewing adipogenic progenitors. Most adipocytes arise from a pool of proliferating progenitors that are committed prenatally or early postnatally and reside in the mural cell compartment of the adipose vasculature, which serves as a progenitor niche distinct from other tissues and likely provides signals for adipocyte development.

Abstract

White adipose (fat) tissues regulate metabolism, reproduction, and life span. Adipocytes form throughout life, with the most marked expansion of the lineage occurring during the postnatal period. Adipocytes develop in coordination with the vasculature, but the identity and location of white adipocyte progenitor cells in vivo are unknown. We used genetically marked mice to isolate proliferating and renewing adipogenic progenitors. We found that most adipocytes descend from a pool of these proliferating progenitors that are already committed, either prenatally or early in postnatal life. These progenitors reside in the mural cell compartment of the adipose vasculature, but not in the vasculature of other tissues. Thus, the adipose vasculature appears to function as a progenitor niche and may provide signals for adipocyte development.