Chapter 4 - Insights into the adipose stem cell niche in health and disease

Abstract

Stem cell self-renewal and differentiation are supported by the neighboring microenvironment, which is referred to as the stem cell “niche.” The adipose tissue stem cell niche comprises multiple cell types that regulate adipocyte precursor function, including endothelial cells, immune cells, mural cells, and adipocytes that interact directly or indirectly with adipocyte precursors to control their self-renewal or differentiation into adipocytes. We are only beginning to understand the mechanisms by which the niche is maintained and coordinated to support adipocyte precursor function, which is critical for proper regulation of adipose tissue homeostasis. An understanding of adipocyte precursor renewal and differentiation is particularly challenging for human studies owing to the lack of appropriate surface receptors for their identification, suitable culture conditions for ex vivo expansion, and the inability to perform many types of in vivo studies as are performed in rodent models. This chapter will review the current state of knowledge concerning adipocyte precursors within the adipose stem cell niche, including their identification, cell–cell interactions, factors that promote their renewal and commitment toward adipocytes, and the changes they undergo during obesity and aging.