Medically reviewed by:
Stem cells are often called the body’s “master cells” because of their remarkable ability to develop into many different cell types. Meanwhile, obesity does more than affect body weight, it leaves lasting imprints on fat and immune cells that can make weight regain harder to avoid. Understanding both phenomena sheds light on how our bodies repair themselves, respond to disease, and regulate metabolism.
» GROUNDBREAKING: Japan approves first iPSC stem cell therapies
Understanding stem cells: The body’s master cells
Stem cells are unique in the human body for two main reasons:
- Self-renewal: They can divide repeatedly to make more stem cells.
- Differentiation: They can become specialized cells, such as muscle, nerve, or blood cells.
Most of our body’s cells have fixed roles, but stem cells can adapt to multiple purposes. This makes them central to tissue repair and regenerative medicine.
Types of stem cells
Stem cells vary by origin and potential:
- Embryonic Stem Cells: Pluripotent cells from early-stage embryos, capable of forming almost any cell type. These offer tremendous research potential but involve ethical concerns.
- Adult Stem Cells: Multipotent cells found in bone marrow, skin, and other tissues. Hematopoietic stem cells, for instance, form blood cells, while mesenchymal stem cells can become bone, cartilage, or fat.
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Adult cells reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, offering embryonic-like versatility without ethical concerns.
Medical applications:
- Bone marrow transplants for leukemia and blood disorders
- Experimental therapies for Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and spinal injuries
Risks & ethical considerations:
- Tumor formation, immune rejection, uncontrolled growth
- Ethical debates over embryonic stem cell use
Stem cells are a powerful tool, but their application requires caution, regulation, and strong scientific evidence.
» READ ALSO: Gene therapy vs cell therapy: What you need to know
Obesity’s lasting imprint on fat and immune cells
Obesity isn’t just about excess weight; it fundamentally alters cells in the body. Fat tissue is metabolically active and interacts closely with the immune system. Prolonged obesity can trigger lasting changes at the cellular level.
How fat cells change
- Fat cells enlarge (hypertrophy)
- Oxygen delivery decreases, leading to low-grade hypoxia
- Inflammatory molecules increase
- Immune cells infiltrate fat tissue
These changes are often driven by epigenetic modifications, where genes are turned on or off without changing the DNA sequence itself. Even after weight loss, these marks can persist, affecting metabolism and fat storage.
Immune cells and metabolic memory
Chronic obesity triggers low-grade inflammation. Immune cells, especially macrophages, become reprogrammed. Research shows that even after weight loss:
- Inflammatory pathways can remain overactive
- Fat cells may respond more aggressively to excess calories
- Weight regain may occur faster than in individuals who were never obese
Some scientists describe this as metabolic memory—the body “remembers” obesity at a cellular level.
Supportive vs. critical perspectives
Supportive:
- Biology explains why long-term weight maintenance is challenging
- Reduces stigma by showing weight regain is not just about willpower
Critical:
- Epigenetic marks are not permanent
- Lifestyle interventions, medications, and surgery can alter outcomes
- Weight regain is influenced by many factors beyond cell programming
Bridging Stem Cells and Obesity Research
Interestingly, stem cell biology intersects with obesity research:
- Fat stem cells: Some fat cells originate from stem-like progenitors. Obesity may alter these stem cells, influencing fat tissue expansion.
- Regenerative potential: Understanding how stem cells respond to metabolic stress could lead to therapies for obesity-related tissue damage.
By studying both stem cells and obesity, scientists hope to develop interventions that restore healthy tissue function and improve metabolic health.
Sources
- Stem Cells Overview:
https://stemcells.nih.gov - Stem Cell Basics:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/about/pac-20384757 - Obesity Facts:
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity - Stem Cell Therapy Safety:
https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/stem-cells
