Fig. 1.

Schematic of cellular mechanism of adipocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT). In response to fibrotic stimuli (TGF-ß, Wnts, Hypoxia, etc.), adipocytic cells downregulate adipogenic gene expression including PPAR-γ. In the absence of these signals, fibrotic pathways become predominant and lead this cell to undergo cellular reprogramming and change morphology. These cells can either transition to a preadipocyte/mesenchymal progenitor cell or directly to a myofibroblast phenotype. This process is reversible in some circumstances. Below, adipocytes (marked by perilipin staining, purple) were treated with TGF-ß. After 24 h, these cells begin transitioning as marked by smooth muscle actin (α-SMA staining, red) in cells also expressing perilipin. By 72 h, these cells have completed the transition to a myofibroblastic phenotype as marked by prominent expression of α-SMA+-stress fibers with substantial loss of perilipin