Distinction of white, beige and brown adipocytes derived from mesenchymal stem cells

Figure 2 Differentiation into white, beige or brown adipocytes. Previously, white and brown adipocytes were thought to be derived from the same precursor cell. However, recent studies demonstrated that brown fat shares a progenitor cell (Myf5+) with skeletal muscle and not with white adipocytes. The Myf5+ precursors are induced to transform into mature brown adipocytes by bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) in cooperation with the transcriptional co-regulator PR domain-containing 16 (PRDM16) and PGC-1α. White adipocytes can also be transformed to brown-like adipocytes, called beige/brite adipocytes, by cold exposure, a β-adrenergic agonist or a PPAR-γ agonist. AR: adrenergic receptor; FGF21: Fibroblast growth factor 21; PGC-1α: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha.