Elucidating the Preadipocyte and Its Role in Adipocyte Formation: a Comprehensive Review.

Adipogenesis is a complex process whereby the multipotent adipose-derived stem cell is converted to a preadipocyte before terminal differentiation into the mature adipocyte. Preadipocytes are present throughout adult life, exhibit adipose fat depot specificity, and differentiate and proliferate from distinct progenitor cells. The mechanisms that promote preadipocyte commitment and maturation involve numerous protein factor regulators, epigenetic factors, and miRNAs. Detailed characterization of this process is currently an area of intense research and understanding the roles of preadipocytes in tissue plasticity may provide insight into novel approaches for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and treating a host of obesity-related conditions. In the current study, we analyzed the current literature and present a review of the characteristics of transitioning adipocytes and detail how local microenvironments influence their progression towards terminal differentiation and maturation. Specifically, we detail the characterization of preadipocyte via surface markers, examine the signaling cascades and regulation behind adipogenesis and cell maturation, and survey their role in tissue plasticity and health and disease.

Phenotypic Analysis of Stromal Vascular Fraction after Mechanical Shear Reveals Stress-Induced Progenitor Populations.

BACKGROUND: Optimization of fat grafting continues to gain increasing attention in the field of regenerative medicine. "Nanofat grafting" implements mechanical emulsification and injection of standard lipoaspirate for the correction of superficial rhytides and skin discoloration; however, little is known about the cellular constituents of the graft. Based on recent evidence that various stressors can induce progenitor activity, the authors hypothesized that the shear forces used in common fat grafting techniques may impact their regenerative capacities. METHODS: Lipoaspirates were obtained from 10 patients undergoing elective procedures. Half of each sample was subjected to nanofat processing; the other half was left unchallenged. The viscosity of each sample was measured for computational analysis. The stromal vascular fraction of each sample was isolated, quantified, and analyzed by means of flow cytometry with two multicolor fluorescence antibody panels. RESULTS: Standard lipoaspirate is ideally suited for mechanical stress induction. The mechanical emulsification involved in nanofat processing did not affect cell number; however, viability was greatly reduced when compared with the stromal vascular fraction of standard lipoaspirate. Interestingly, nanofat processing resulted in stress-induced stromal vascular fraction with a higher proportion of endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and multilineage differentiating stress-enduring cells. Single-parameter analysis also revealed significant increases in CD34, CD13, CD73, and CD146 of the stress-induced stromal vascular fraction, markers associated with mesenchymal stem cell activity. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical processing used in techniques such as nanofat grafting induces the up-regulation of progenitor phenotypes consistent with multipotency and pluripotency. These data provide a first step in characterizing the potential regenerative benefits realized through stress induction in fat grafting. CLINCAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.