Intermuscular adipose tissue in obesity and related disorders: cellular origins, biological characteristics and regulatory mechanisms

Abstract

Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is a unique adipose depot interspersed between muscle fibers (myofibers) or muscle groups. Numerous studies have shown that IMAT is strongly associated with insulin resistance and muscular dysfunction in people with metabolic disease, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, IMAT aggravates obesity-related muscle metabolism disorders via secretory factors. Interestingly, researchers have discovered that intermuscular brown adipocytes in rodent models provide new hope for obesity treatment by acting on energy dissipation, which inspired researchers to explore the underlying regulation of IMAT formation. However, the molecular and cellular properties and regulatory processes of IMAT remain debated. Previous studies have suggested that muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells and other adipose tissue progenitors contribute to the development of IMAT. Adipocytes within IMAT exhibit features that are similar to either white adipocytes or uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-positive brown adipocytes. Additionally, given the heterogeneity of skeletal muscle, which comprises myofibers, satellite cells, and resident mesenchymal progenitors, it is plausible that interplay between these cellular components actively participate in the regulation of intermuscular adipogenesis. In this context, we review recent studies associated with IMAT to offer insights into the cellular origins, biological properties, and regulatory mechanisms of IMAT. Our aim is to provide novel ideas for the therapeutic strategy of IMAT and the development of new drugs targeting IMAT-related metabolic diseases.

LOC646762 Is Involved in Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Adipocytes are the most common cells in the human body and serve dual roles of energy storage sites and regulators of physiological processes. , They not only maintain energy metabolism, nutritional homeostasis, and tissue homeostasis in the body but are also involved in important endocrine functions. , Adipocyte differentiation is a physiological process involving differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to mature adipocytes . In addition, a balance is maintained between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) .…”