Key transcription factors involved in differentiation of pre-adipocytes to adipocytes that underpin healthy adipocytes. Factors such as insulin, IGF and glucocorticoids can induce differentiation of committed fibroblast-like preadipocytes into spherical adipocytes capable of storing TG within lipid droplets in the cell. Hormonal stimulation triggers differentiation by the expression of early differentiation factors C/EBP-β/δ and late transcription factors C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ and SREBP-1c. PPAR-γ is known as the main regulator of adipogenesis and modulates the expression of various genes associated with fatty acid uptake, storage, lipolysis and adipokines. (IGF, insulin-like growth factor; C/EBP, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein; PPAR-γ, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma; SREBP, Sterol regulatory-element binding protein; FA, fatty acid; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-6, interleukin 6; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; FABP4, fatty acid binding protein 4; ATGL, adipose triglyceride lipase; HSL, hormone sensitive lipase).