ADIPOSE CELLS
Adipocytes – Also known as fat cells, they are the primary components of adipose tissue and specialize in storing energy as fat.
Grantees: Bauer Lab, Bellas Lab, Blüher Lab, Collins Lab, Cornely Lab, Foster Lab, Gousopoulos & Felmerer Lab, Haegerling Lab, Herbst Lab, Isakson Lab, Klein Lab, Kruppa Lab, Rabiee Lab, Ravussin Lab, Rutkowski Lab, Scherer Lab, and Swartz Lab

Adipose Stem Cells – The cell population from which mature adipocytes arise.
Grantees: Bauer Lab, Bunnell Lab (2017), Bunnell Lab (2021), Peault Lab, and Rabiee Lab

BLOOD VASCULATURE
Blood Vasculature – The component of the blood circulatory system that delivers blood from the heart into adipose tissue via capillaries, and out of the tissue to the heart via veins.
Grantees: Cameron Lab, Haegerling Lab, Herbst Lab, Peault Lab, and Wolbank Lab

Exosomes – Cell-derived vesicles that are present in many fluids produced by organisms, including blood, urine, and interstitial fluid. These small vesicles have been shown to play a role in signaling and communication between cells.
Grantee: Swartz Lab

EXTRACELLULAR ENVIRONMENT, FIBROSIS, AND FASCIA
Extracellular Matrix – A collection of molecules on the outside of cells. These molecules are secreted by cells to provide structural and biochemical support.
Grantee: Bellas Lab, Harten Lab, and Kruppa Lab

Fascia – Sheets of connective tissue that is found below the skin. These tissues attach, stabilize, impart strength, maintain vessel patency, separate muscles, and enclose different organs.
Grantee: Stecco Lab

Fibrosis – The thickening and scarring of tissue that occurs as a result of injury. In adipose tissue, this is usually determined by the appearance of adipocytes surrounded by fibroblasts (light green cells).
Grantees: Bauer Lab, Cromer Lab, Harten Lab, and Herbst Lab

Interstitial Fluid – Fluid released by cells that bathes the exterior and surrounding of cells and tissue.
Grantees: Becker Lab and Swartz Lab, Donahue Lab, and Rachelle Crescenzi (of the Donahue Lab)

GENETICS
Genomics – These are studies that utilize patient samples (usually blood or saliva) to determine the presence of genetic variants that may be unique to Lipedema.
Grantees: Blüher Lab, Collins Lab, Klimentidis Lab, Harvey Lab, Herbst Lab, Kruppa Lab, Ostergaard Lab, Pittman Lab, Pober Lab, and SALT Lab

IMMUNE SYSTEM
Immune cells – Cellular components of the immune system that function to defend the body against invaders such as microbial infections. Macrophages are the most common immune cells in adipose tissue.
Grantees: Bauer Lab, Becker Lab, Cromer Lab, Gousopoulos Lab, Herbst Lab, and Shayan Lab

LYMPHATIC VASCULATURE
Lymphatic Vasculature – The component of the lymphatic system that collects the interstitial fluid in adipose tissue. The start point of this vasculature are lymphatic capillaries composed of lymphatic endothelial cells. The capillaries gradually enlarge into lymphatic collectors and eventually lymphatic vessels that converge at lymph nodes.
Grantees: Bellas Lab, Carmeliet Lab, Cameron Lab, Collins Lab, Cromer Lab, Dixon Lab, Foster Lab, Gousopoulos and Felmerer Lab, Haegerling Lab (2017), Hagerling Lab (2021), Herbst Lab, Klip Lab, Koelmeyer Lab, Kruppa Lab, Padera Lab, Rutkowski Lab, and Shawber Lab

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Nerves – Cells that transmit impulses of sensation to and from the nervous system (brain/spinal cord) to the tissues and organs.
Grantee: Rutkowski Lab, Hucho Lab

PATIENT OUTCOMES AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Quality of Life Studies – These are questionnaires completed by study participants and include patient information such as age of onset, symptoms, and medical history.
Grantees: Bauer Lab, Donahue Lab, Herbst Lab, Hucho Lab, Koelmeyer Lab, Pittman Lab, and SALT Lab