Cell shape
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Variable, but classically spherical
|
Polygonal
|
Resembles WAT
|
Cell size
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Variable, but large (25-200 μm)
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Comparatively small (15-60 μm)
|
Variable
|
Nucleus
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Peripheral, flattened
|
Central, round or oval in shape
|
To be determined
|
Cytoplasm
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Thin, peripheral rim
|
Large volume evenly distributed throughout cell
|
To be determined
|
Lipid content
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Single large droplet occupying up to 90% of cell volume
|
Multiple small lipid droplets
|
To be determined
|
Mitochondria
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Few
|
Abundant
|
Intermediate
|
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
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Little, but recognizable as rough and smooth ER
|
Present, but poorly developed
|
To be determined
|
Tissue organization
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Small lobules of densely packed cells
|
Lobular, gland-like
|
To be determined
|
Cell content
|
Multiple other cell types present
|
Few other cell types present
|
Few other cell types present
|
Vascularity
|
Adequate
|
Highly vascularised
|
To be determined
|
Gene expression
|
PPAR-gamma, aP2, Adiponectin, adipsin, perilipin
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UCP-1, PGC-1alpha, β-3 adreno receptor (ARB3), PRDM16, de-iodinase type II (D2)
|
Low UCP1, but activated by cAMP stimulation
|
Cell markers
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CD34, ABCG2, ALDH
|
EVA1, EBF3, FBXO31
|
CD137, TMEM26, TBX1
|