Lead Investigator: Yann Klimentidis, PhD

Institution: University of Arizona, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

LF Funding History: 2017 Proof of Concept Award

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that there are multiple common genetic variants located across the genome that predispose individuals to developing lipedema.

Current LF Collaborations:

• Karen Herbst, University of Arizona

• Pia Ostergaard, St George's University of London

Related News:  

The Daily Wildcat - Lipedema: Often Mistaken for Obesity

Research Updates:

• Genetic Risk Factors Underlying the Lipedema Phenotype

Project: Genetic Risk Factors and Corresponding Mechanisms Underlying Lipedema

Lipedema is a painful and debilitating condition affecting approximately 10% of adult women. It is characterized by excessive and painful fat in gynoid areas (buttocks, hips, legs) and a relatively small waist circumference. By capitalizing on multiple complementary studies, we seek to robustly identify genetic risk factors for lipedema and follow-up on specific loci by measuring gene expression levels in affected and unaffected fat tissue.

By identifying the genes that cause lipedema, we can identify physiological mechanisms that may be therapeutically acted upon, and potentially make predictions of an individual's risk for lipedema. A better understanding of the pathways and mechanisms underlying lipedema can thus lead to improved prevention and treatment.