Fig. 2.

SAT and VAT pathological remodelling in obesity and potential strategies. (a) WAT undergoes cellular and structural remodelling in obesity, characterised by the following: (1) adipocyte hypertrophy associated with production of inflammatory factors (VAT > SAT); (2) accumulation of immune cells such as macrophages organised around dead adipocytes (VAT > SAT); (3) decreased capillary density associated with EC dysfunction (i.e. activation, inflammation and senescence) (VAT > SAT); (4) activation of fibroblasts and APs (SAT > VAT) leading to fibrosis deposition and decreased tissue plasticity (SAT > VAT). (b) Differential strategies between WAT and BAT depots to prevent obesity-related disorders, targeting tissue plasticity/remodelling and response to sympathetic tone, to promote healthy SAT expansion and browning, conversely with limited VAT expansion and lipotoxic action, and BAT activation and recruitment of APs