Identification of a mesenchymal progenitor cell hierarchy in adipose tissue

A singular focus on fat Fatty tissue can expand in two ways: through increases in the size of individual adipocytes or through increases in the number of adipocytes. The former process promotes metabolic disease, and the latter protects against it. Merrick et al. used single-cell RNA sequencing to define the hierarchy of mesenchymal progenitor cells that give rise to adipose tissue in mice and humans (see the Perspective by Chau and Cawthorn). They found that progenitor cells expressing a protein called DPP4 give rise to two distinct types of preadipocytes in response to different signals. The DPP4 progenitors reside in a fluid-filled network of collagen and elastin fibers surrounding adipose tissue. In…

• AD
  American Diabetes Association

  Award: 1-16-IBS-269
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: RO1DK107589, 5T32GM008216-29, R01DK103008
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

  Award: 5T32DK007314-37