Israeli Researchers Discover New Fat Cell Types That Could Transform Obesity Treatment

Israeli Researchers Discover New Fat Cell Types That Could Transform Obesity Treatment

The scientists said some of these newly discovered cells appear to regulate inflammation, blood vessel formation, extracellular protein deposition, and fibrosis.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Scientists have identified new subpopulations of fat cells in the human body, a discovery that could lead to improved treatments for obesity and related metabolic conditions.

The research — conducted by scientists from Ben-Gurion University in collaboration with experts from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Leipzig University in Germany, and the University of Auckland in New Zealand — revealed distinct fat cell types with specialized functions, such as regulating inflammation and blood vessel formation.

The study is part of the Human Cell Atlas Project, an international initiative mapping the various cell types in the human body.

Researchers analyzed fat cells from subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue to uncover their specific roles and interactions.

The findings could help in predicting individual risk for metabolic disorders and tailoring treatments.

The study, recently published in the peer-reviewed Nature Genetics journal, used advanced RNA mapping technology to distinguish unique fat cell types and intercellular communication patterns across different tissues.

The researchers also applied a technique that attaches unique barcodes to RNA molecules, allowing scientists to trace each molecule to its original cell.

By sequencing and categorizing these molecules, the researchers identified known fat cell types and previously uncharacterized subtypes.

The scientists said some of these newly discovered cells appear to regulate inflammation, blood vessel formation, extracellular protein deposition, and fibrosis.

Research into adipose tissue — better known as fat — has evolved significantly over the past three decades.

Once considered a passive storage site for excess energy, fat cells are now known to play an active role in regulating metabolism and overall health.

They secrete proteins and other molecules that influence the brain, liver, pancreas, and blood vessels.

One well-known example is leptin, a hormone produced primarily by fat cells that helps regulate appetite and energy expenditure by communicating with the brain.

Fat tissue varies based on its location in the body. Subcutaneous fat, found beneath the skin, and visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, have distinct characteristics.

Visceral fat tends to be more inflammatory and is linked to metabolic conditions such as diabetes and fatty liver disease, as well as cardiovascular complications.

The study found that intra-abdominal fat cells engage more in immune-related communication, contributing to inflammation, while subcutaneous fat cells interact more among themselves and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.

One of the study’s key findings is that certain fat cell subtypes previously thought to originate from classic fat cells actually develop in the opposite manner.

These specialized cells appear to transition into classic fat cells, losing their unique functions over time. This challenges earlier assumptions about fat cell differentiation and suggests a more complex developmental pathway.

Researchers also discovered that one particular subtype of fat cells exists exclusively in intra-abdominal fat. These cells could play a role in obesity-related inflammation and metabolic disorders.

Their presence and prevalence may help predict an individual’s risk of developing obesity-related complications and their response to treatment.

The study’s authors believe that these findings could lead to more personalized approaches to obesity treatment.

By identifying the specific fat cell types present in a person’s adipose tissue, doctors may be able to assess their metabolic health more accurately.

Future research aims to develop clinical tools that can detect these fat cell subtypes in tissue samples.

Understanding the function of different fat cell types could lead to treatments that specifically target harmful fat cell subtypes while preserving or enhancing beneficial ones.

Weight loss strategies could also be refined to focus on specific fat tissues.

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