Adipose tissue produces cells involved in immune response
Friday, November 26, 2010 - 10:30
in Biology & Nature
French researchers from CNRS and the Universite Paul Sabatier have demonstrated the existence, in adipose tissue, of stem cells similar to those found in bone marrow. These cells are capable of differentiating into mast cells, i.e. immune cells involved, in particular, in allergic and inflammatory responses. It was previously thought that mast cells were only produced in bone marrow. This study, published in the journal Stem Cells, paves the way for an as yet unexplored field of investigation on the role of adipose tissue in immune response and could lead to new therapeutic applications.