Fat cell development may be suppressed by a newly identified subpopulation of regulatory cells in the stromal vascular fraction of fat tissue. These cells, called adipogenesis-regulatory cells, or Aregs, were identified in the fat tissue of mice. Subsequently, a type of Areg was found in human fat tissue. (Left) Mature human fat cells grown in a Petri dish (green, lipid droplets). (Right) A section of mouse fat tissue showing, in the middle, a blood vessel (red circle) surrounded by Aregs (arrows). [Bart Deplancke/EPFL]
