Endothelial cell alterations in capillaries of adipose tissue from patients affected by lipedema

• DOI: 10.1002/oby.24244
• Publication Date: 2025-03-13T05:39:04Z
• Authors: Sandro Michelini; Stefania Greco; Nicola Vaia; Valeria Puleo; Pamela Pellegrino; Angelica Di Vincenzo; Serena Michelini; Karen L. Herbst; Gaia Goteri; Tonia Luca; Sergio Castorina; Antonio Giordano; Pasquapina Ciarmela; Saverio Cinti
• Keywords: Pericyte

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate adipose tissue of lipedema patients. Methods Gluteo‐femoral (affected area) and interscapular (nonaffected from 10 lean patients affected by stage 1 2 was studied compared with obesity 12 Results The main features were alterations capillaries wall thickening ( p ≤ 0.0001), endothelial pericyte hyperplasia = 0.03 0.004), hypodense areas in basal membrane, degeneration exfoliation degenerated cells into the capillary lumen. Adipocytes larger (hypertrophic) P 0.0001) nonaffected 0.0003) those who (both 0.0001). Frequently cytoplasm adipocytes contained massive deposition calcium crystals as revealed Von Kossa staining 0.023) electron microscopy. CD68 immunoreactive macrophages more abundant 0.005), their number similar that found fat 0.17). Despite adipocyte hypertrophy inflammation, lack healthy marker perilipin‐1 presence crown‐like structures only rarely seen, while they quite frequent obesity. Conclusions Our data support idea cell happen early stages development (endothelium/pericyte) organ women lipedema.