The triangle of transdifferentiation in the adipose organ

Abstract

Abstract White and brown adipocytes are organized in well-defined tissue into a unitary anatomically dissectible structure: the adipose organ. They cooperate for distribution of energy to storing or burning lipids for thermogenesis depending on physiologic needs. The organ is plastic, and transdifferentiation phenomena occur to implement the physiologic roles in specific conditions. Another striking transdifferentiation phenomenon occurs during pregnancy, lactation, and post-lactation in females' adipose organ: Adipocytes reversibly convert to lipid-rich milk-producing alveolar cells, also called pink adipocytes. In this review, the main aspects of this triangle of transdifferentiation are described and the related literature is reviewed.