Figure 3.

The divergent function of different cell populations on fibrosis in obese adipose tissue. The fibrotic program is coordinated by multiple cell types in adipose tissue, including adipocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, ACS, Mast cells and fibroblasts, etc. The cells secrete collagens and non-collagenous proteins, pro-inflammatory factors, ECM enzymes, and multiple unidentified factors which work together to fine-tune the level of fibrosis in response to different cell stimuli. Moreover, the cells interplay with each other and regulate their pro-fibrotic function through the cell-cell communication.