• An international study, published in Nature Genetics and part of the Human Cell Atlas project, has identified unique subpopulations of fat cells in human fat tissues (subcutaneous and visceral), using RNA molecule mapping and unique cell barcodes.
• The research revealed previously unknown fat cell subtypes with roles in inflammation regulation, blood vessel formation, extracellular protein deposition, and fibrosis; one subtype was found exclusively in intra-abdominal tissue.
• While most fat cells in both subcutaneous and visceral fat showed similarities, subtle differences in intercellular communication were observed, with visceral fat cells exhibiting more pro-inflammatory activity and subcutaneous fat cells demonstrating anti-inflammatory processes.
• The study's findings suggest that the prevalence of these unique fat cells correlates with the severity of obesity-related metabolic complications, such as insulin resistance, and could potentially lead to personalized obesity treatments by predicting individual risk and treatment response.