![]() ![]() A unique feature of brown adipocytes is the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a mitochondrial protein implicated in energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is involved in energy expenditure and thermogenesis in infants, and is located at specific sites including the upper back (interscapular region) and around the kidneys (perirenal). Visceral WAT is located mainly around organs, while subcutaneous WAT is located directly under the skin. WAT is further subdivided into visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. White adipose tissue (WAT) is found throughout the body, and is mainly involved in energy storage. ![]() Adipose tissue is comprised of adipocytes, preadipocytes, adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs), immune cells, nerve cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels and extracellular matrix (ECM), among others. Schematic representation of adipose tissue. ![]() The function and suggested mechanisms of action of Pref-1 in regulating adipogenesis, as well as current findings regarding Pref-1′s role in human adipogenesis, is then reviewed. In this review, we briefly discuss the different types of adipose tissue and the ability of MSCs to differentiate into adipocytes, focusing on adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and Wharton’s jelly derived stromal/stem cells (WJSCs). Furthermore, differences in the ability of MSCs isolated from different sources to undergo adipogenic differentiation, may be useful in investigating the different elements responsible for this process. The ability of MSCs to differentiate into adipocytes is an attractive model to study adipogenesis in vitro. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into various mesodermal cell lineages, such as osteoblasts, myoblasts and adipocytes. Translation of these findings to the human setting is uncertain and requires confirmation using experimental models of human origin. It is however, of concern that the regulation of adipocyte differentiation has predominantly been studied using the murine 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line and murine experimental animal models. Identifying novel therapeutic targets requires a good understanding of the regulatory elements involved during adipogenesis (fat cell formation). The obvious need for novel interventions to combat obesity has resulted in an active interest in identifying novel therapeutic targets to manage obesity and treat obesity-associated metabolic disorders. The strong association of obesity with chronic comorbidities contributes significantly to overburdened health care systems globally. This is a huge concern, as obesity is a major risk factor for several comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Based on current trends, estimations predict that 60% of the global population will be obese or overweight by 2030. ![]() Over one third of the world’s population is overweight or obese. We then discuss the function and suggested mechanisms of action of Pref-1 in regulating adipogenesis, as well as current findings regarding Pref-1’s role in human adipogenesis. In this review, we briefly discuss the adipogenic differentiation potential of MSCs derived from two different sources, namely adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and Wharton’s Jelly derived stromal/stem cells (WJSCs). Preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) is an early negative regulator of adipogenic differentiation. Genes involved may be divided into three broad categories: early, intermediate and late-stage regulators. Differences in the ability of MSCs isolated from different sources to undergo adipogenic differentiation, may be useful in investigating elements responsible for regulating adipogenic differentiation potential. The ability of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into adipocytes is an attractive model to study adipogenesis in vitro. Translation of these findings to the human setting requires confirmation using experimental models of human origin. However, it is of concern that the regulation of adipocyte differentiation has predominantly been studied using the murine 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line and murine experimental animal models. A better understanding of adipogenesis, the process of fat formation, may lead to the discovery of novel treatment strategies. Obesity contributes significantly to the global health burden. ![]()
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