Figure 3. Molecular pathways implicated in adipogenesis and genes that may lead to the development of lipodystrophy.

Several molecular pathways are implicated in the development, differentiation, and apoptosis of adipocytes. The multipotent mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) serves as an adipocyte precursor. Transcription factors promote adipocyte differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells to committed preadipocytes, then to adipocytes. Preadipocytes respond to adipogenic stimuli to initiate cell differentiation to mature adipocytes. Many genes implicated in the adipocyte differentiation process are involved in the potential development of lipodystrophy (red text indicates genes or factors discussed in this Review).