A Palette of Adipose Tissue: Multiple Functionality and Extraordinary Plasticity

Abstract

After the knowledge of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ and its role as a regulator of metabolisms, studies have advanced on its biological function. Previously, only two adipose tissues were identified in mammals, white and brown adipose tissue. White adipocytes store lipids mainly with the function of energy reserve and brown for thermal homeostasis. Due to the plasticity of adipose tissue and its ability to proliferate and differentiate, the third type of adipocyte, beige, emerged. Beige adipocytes originate from white adipocytes that have acquired phenotypic brown characteristics in response to different stimuli, this process is known as browning. More recently, the plastic properties allowed the identification of the fourth type of adipose tissue, the pink.