Figure 3. Hypothetical model for coordination of angiogenesis and adipocyte proliferation.
A. Quiescent multi-potent progenitors reside within the adipose tissue vasculature.
B. Endothelial cells are stimulated to proliferate by VEGF, resulting in the formation of tip cells (green) expressing Dll4, which suppresses VEGF signaling in adjacent cells via activation of Notch, forming new capillary sprouts. This is accompanied by proliferation of progenitors.
C. Progenitors differentiate into adipocytes and/or other cell types such as endothelial or mural cells.