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New Stem Cells Drive Midlife Belly Fat, Study Finds
April 17, 2025
That expanding waistline in middle age might not be just about lifestyle; new research suggests a specific type of stem cell is to blame. Scientists have discovered that aging activates a novel stem cell that rapidly produces fat cells, offering a biological description for why belly fat tends to increase as we get older.
The study, published in Science, identifies that aging triggers adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) to evolve into committed preadipocytes, age-specific (CP-As), which then actively generate new fat.These findings point toward potential new therapies aimed at preventing the accumulation of abdominal fat and promoting healthier aging.
The Science Behind the Bulge
It’s a common observation: as people enter middle age,they often experience an increase in abdominal fat. This isn’t merely a cosmetic concern. Excess belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is linked to a host of health problems, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, and a notable portion of these individuals are unaware of their condition. Visceral fat plays a significant role in insulin resistance, a hallmark of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
For years, the exact mechanisms behind this age-related fat accumulation remained unclear. While it was known that existing fat cells could grow larger,the new study reveals that the body also produces *new* fat cells as we age,specifically in the abdominal area.
“people often lose muscle and gain body fat as they age—even when their body weight remains the same,” said Qiong (annabel) Wang, Ph.D., the study’s co-corresponding author and an associate professor of molecular and cellular endocrinology at City of Hope’s Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute. “We discovered aging triggers the arrival of a new type of adult stem cell and enhances the body’s massive production of new fat cells, especially around the belly.”
Unlocking the Secrets of Adipose Progenitor Cells
To understand how aging affects fat accumulation, the researchers focused on adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs), a type of stem cell found in white adipose tissue (WAT) that can differentiate into fat cells. Their experiments involved transplanting APCs from both young and older mice into younger mice. The researchers observed that APCs from older mice generated a significantly larger amount of fat cells compared to those from younger mice. Conversely, when APCs from young mice were transplanted into older mice, they did not produce many new fat cells. This indicated that older APCs have an inherent ability to create new fat cells, irrespective of the host’s age.
Further examination using single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a stark difference in APC gene activity between young and older mice. In middle-aged mice,APCs became highly active,producing new fat cells at an accelerated rate.
“While most adult stem cells’ capacity to grow wanes with age, the opposite holds true with APCs — aging unlocks these cells’ power to evolve and spread,” said Adolfo Garcia-Ocana, Ph.D., the Ruth B. & Robert K. Lanman Endowed Chair in Gene Regulation & Drug Discovery Research and chair of the Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology at City of Hope.“This is the first evidence that our bellies expand with age due to the APCs’ high output of new fat cells.”
The Role of CP-As and the LIFR Pathway
The aging process transforms APCs into a new type of stem cell called committed preadipocytes, age-specific (CP-as).These CP-A cells, which emerge in middle age, actively produce new fat cells, explaining the increased weight gain observed in older mice. The study also identified a signaling pathway called leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) as crucial for the multiplication and development of CP-A cells into fat cells.
“We discovered that the body’s fat-making process is driven by LIFR.While young mice don’t require this signal to make fat, older mice do,” explained Wang. “Our research indicates that LIFR plays a crucial role in triggering CP-As to create new fat cells and expand belly fat in older mice.”
Human Implications
To determine if these findings were relevant to humans, the researchers analyzed APCs from human tissue samples of various ages. The results mirrored their findings in mice: CP-A cells were more abundant in middle-aged individuals and exhibited a high capacity for creating new fat cells.
“Understanding the role of CP-As in metabolic disorders and how these cells emerge during aging could lead to new medical solutions for reducing belly fat and improving health and longevity,” Wang said.
Counterarguments & Considerations
While this study sheds light on a new biological mechanism contributing to age-related belly fat, some experts caution against oversimplification. lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise undeniably play a significant role in weight management. it’s also important to note that the study’s initial findings were based on research in mice,and while the human tissue analysis showed similar results,further research is needed to fully understand the complexities of CP-as in humans.
Moreover, targeting the LIFR pathway, while promising, could have unintended consequences. LIFR is involved in various biological processes, and blocking it systemically might disrupt other important functions. Future research should focus on developing targeted therapies that specifically inhibit CP-A activity without affecting other tissues or systems.
FAQ: Understanding Age-Related Belly Fat
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why do we gain more belly fat as we age? | New research indicates that aging activates a specific type of stem cell (CP-A) that rapidly produces fat cells, contributing to increased abdominal fat. |
| What are CP-A cells? | CP-A cells, or committed preadipocytes, age-specific, are a newly discovered type of stem cell that emerges in middle age and actively generates new fat cells. |
| What is the LIFR pathway? | The leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) pathway is a signaling pathway that plays a crucial role in promoting CP-A cells to multiply and evolve into fat cells. |
| Can I prevent age-related belly fat? | While theLeave a Replay/2025/05/22/190416212p.jpg "Childhood Blood Cancer: Causes & Risk Factors")       Recent PostsTagsarticles
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