Adipocyte

Adipocytes are the cells that primarily compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat.

Description

There are two types of adipose tissue (white fat and brown fat), and, as a consequence, two types of adipocytes.

White adipocytes contain large lipid droplet surrounded by a ring of cytoplasm. The nucleus is flattened and located on the periphery. The fat stored is in a semi-liquid state, and is composed primarily of triglycerides and cholesteryl ester. White adipocytes secrete resistin, adiponectin and leptin.

Brown adipocytes are polygonal in shape. Unlike white adipocytes, these cells have considerable cytoplasm with lipid droplets scattered throughout. The nucleus is round, and, although eccentrically located, it is not in the periphery of the cell. The brown color come from the large quantity of mitochondria. Brown fat is also known as “baby fat,” and is used to generate heat.

Lineage

Although the lineage of adipocytes is still unclear, it appears mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into two types of lipoblasts, one that gives rise to white adipocytes and the other to brown adipocytes. Preadipocytes are undifferentiated adipocytes that can be stimulated to form adipocytes, connective tissue or bone.

Areolar connective tissue is composed of adipocytes.

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