Obesity and weight loss could alter the properties of adipose stem cells?

Abstract

The discovery that adipose tissue represents an interesting source of multipotent stem cells has led to many studies exploring the clinical potential of these cells in cell-based therapies. Recent advances in understanding the secretory capacity of adipose tissue and the role of adipokines in the development of obesity and associated disorders have added a new dimension to the study of adipose tissue biology in normal and diseased states. Subcutaneous adipose tissue forms the interface between the clinical application of regenerative medicine and the establishment of the pathological condition of obesity. These two facets of adipose tissue should be understood as potentially related phenomena. Because of the functional characteristics of adipose stem cells, these cells represent a fundamental tool for understanding how these two facets are interconnected and could be important for therapeutic applications. In fact, adipose tissue stem cells have multiple functions in obesity related to adipogenic, angiogenic and secretory capacities. In addition, we have also previously described a predominance of larger blood vessels and an adipogenic memory in the subcutaneous adipose tissue after massive weight loss subsequent to bariatric surgery (ex-obese patients). Understanding the reversibility of the behavior of adipose stem cells in obeses and in weight loss is relevant to both physiological studies and the potential use of these cells in regenerative medicine.

Anatomical, Histological And Metabolic Differences Between Hypodermis And Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

“…Recently, a population of macrophages has been identified in human adipose tissue. The glycoprotein CD34 found in this population was considered similar to adipose stem cells, thus reinforcing the idea that inflammatory macrophages are present in the adipose tissue of obese individuals [13].…”

“…Adipocytes are the main source of leptin and adiponectin while inflammatory cytokines, like IL-6 and TNF-alpha, are secreted by vascular stromal cells, namely the pre-adipocytes and adipose stem cells. Therefore, adipose stem cells may be considered secreting cells of the adipose tissue in obese individuals [13].…”

“…The cellular content of the adipose tissue includes a specialized population of cells [adipocytes] and the stromal vascular fraction composed of preadipocytes, multipotent stem cells, endothelial and vessel wall cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, mastocytes and hematopoietic progenitor cells. 13 The inflammatory and noninflammatory actions of macrophages have been vastly studied; nevertheless, little is known about events involving resident stem cells in obesity [13]. Recently, a population of macrophages has been identified in human adipose tissue.…”

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells as a Tool in Cell-Based Therapies

“…The interaction between adipose tissue and other tissues or organs is certainly bidirectional (Skowrońska et al 2005). It affects the functioning of most physiological systems, including the immune, reproductive, and hematopoietic system (Baptista et al 2015). Development, amount and distribution of adipose tissue in the body is a result of the nervous system, hormones and transcription factors effects (Baptista et al 2015; Furstenberg et al 2010).…”

“…It affects the functioning of most physiological systems, including the immune, reproductive, and hematopoietic system (Baptista et al 2015). Development, amount and distribution of adipose tissue in the body is a result of the nervous system, hormones and transcription factors effects (Baptista et al 2015; Furstenberg et al 2010). In terms of macroscopic features five types of adipose tissue [bone marrow (BM), brown and white mammary glands and mechanical adipose tissue] can be distinguished, each of them with a different, distinct biological function (Gimble et al 2007).…”