Nutrition Alters the Stiffness of Adipose Tissue and Cell Signaling.

Adipose tissue is a complex organ composed of various cell types and an extracellular matrix (ECM). The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is dynamically altered in response to nutritional regimens that lead to local cues affecting the cells and ECM. The adipocytes are in conjunction with the surrounding ECM that maintains the tissue's niche, provides a scaffold for cells and modulates their signaling.

Exploring the Cell Stemness and the Complexity of the Adipose Tissue Niche.

Adipose tissue is a complex organ composed of different cellular populations, including mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, adipocytes, and immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. These cellular populations alter dynamically during aging or as a response to pathophysiology such as obesity. Changes in the various inflammatory cells are associated with metabolic complications and the development of insulin resistance, indicating that immune cells crosstalk with the adipocytes.