摘要脂肪细胞分为白色脂肪细胞、棕色脂肪细胞和米色脂肪细胞，三者在细胞来源、基因表达、形态学及功能方面存在差异。机体理化因素、神经内分泌和免疫因素、转录因子等多种因素可调控白色脂肪“棕色化”和脂肪分解。这些因素可能是药物干预的新靶点。肥胖时脂肪组织慢性炎症、纤维化和血管异常可导致脂肪扩充障碍，降低脂肪细胞的储脂能力。了解脂肪组织的这些生物学特性可揭示异常的脂肪组织如何导致肥胖以及肥胖相关的代谢紊乱，而且对于肥胖的治疗具有指导性意义。

abstractsAdipocytes are classified into three types, including white, brown, and “beige/brite” adipocytes. There exist differences in origin of adipocytes, gene expressions, morphology, and functions among three kinds of adipocytes. Multiple factors such as physical and chemical factors, neurohormonal and immunological factors, transcriptional factors have been shown to regulate and control the browning process and lipolysis of white adipose tissue. Thus, they may become new targets for anti-obesity intervention. In the process of obesity, chronic inflammation reaction, adipose tissue remodeling and abnormal angiogenesis occurring in the adipose tissue cause pathological fat expansion and reduce lipid storage in adipocytes. Understanding adipocytes biology is important to decipher how the aberrant adipose tissue contributes to obesity and metabolic disorders, and provides guidance for treating obesity.