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White adipocyte dysfunction and obesity-associated pathologies in humans

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 25, pages 270–289 (2024)Cite this article

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A Publisher Correction to this article was published on 08 February 2024

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Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and associated chronic diseases continues to increase worldwide, negatively impacting on societies and economies. Whereas the association between excess body weight and increased risk for developing a multitude of diseases is well established, the initiating mechanisms by which weight gain impairs our metabolic health remain surprisingly contested. In order to better address the myriad of disease states associated with obesity, it is essential to understand adipose tissue dysfunction and develop strategies for reinforcing adipocyte health. In this Review we outline the diverse physiological functions and pathological roles of human white adipocytes, examining our current knowledge of why white adipocytes are vital for systemic metabolic control, yet poorly adapted to our current obesogenic environment.

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Fig. 1: Human adipose tissue in individuals who are lean and individuals with obesity.
Fig. 2: Characteristics of the obese white adipose tissue.
Fig. 3: Defects in adipose tissue lipid storage associated with obesity.
Fig. 4: Obesity-associated pathologies.

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Acknowledgements

C.E.H. was supported by the Swedish Research Council (#2019-02046), European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD 2022) and Karolinska Institutet (2-189/2022). K.L.S. was supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation (project grants NNF20OC0063944, NNF22OC0078384), Knut och Alice Wallenberg Stiftelse (Dnr KAW 2020.0118), Swedish Research Council (#2022-01236) and the Mark Foundation Aspire grant.

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  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Carolina E. Hagberg

  2. Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Carolina E. Hagberg

  3. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Kirsty L. Spalding

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Hagberg, C.E., Spalding, K.L. White adipocyte dysfunction and obesity-associated pathologies in humans. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 25, 270–289 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-023-00680-1

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