Genetic Disorders of Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Subcutaneous fat consists of white, brown and beige adipose tissue, with diverse metabolic, thermogenic, paracrine, endocrine and immune functions. Disorders of adipose tissue can be divided principally into: disorders of distribution of fat, the lipodystrophies, lipoedema and fibroadipose hyperplasia, disorders of excessive generalised accumulation of fat (in other words obesity), tumours and inflammation (such as panniculitis). There is increasing evidence of a hereditary component in the pathogenesis of all of these conditions.