Stem cells from bone marrow make new fat
Some body fat comes from stem cells that migrate out of bone marrow, a new study suggests.
Bone marrow acts as one of the body’s most prolific stem cell factories, pumping out cells that circulate to different parts of the body through the bloodstream. Once these cells reach their destination, they can morph into new cell types—ranging from blood to heart muscle—that fill a specific need or replace cells lost to wear and tear.
Previous research had shown that certain bone marrow cells can be coaxed into becoming fat cells in the lab. However, it’s been unclear whether these stem cells naturally contribute to new fat in the body.