The study investigates the identity and location of white adipocyte progenitors, which are crucial for understanding adipocyte development and its implications for human health. Using genetically marked mice, the researchers isolated proliferating and renewing adipogenic progenitors. They found that most adipocytes descend from a pool of these progenitors that are already committed prenatally or early in postnatal life. These progenitors reside in the mural cell compartment of the adipose vasculature, not in other tissues' vasculature. The adipose vasculature thus functions as a progenitor niche, potentially providing signals for adipocyte development. The study also highlights the adipose stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) as a potential source of adipocyte progenitors and demonstrates the adipogenic potential of FACS-isolated GFP+ SV cells both in vitro and after transplantation. Additionally, the research identifies specific cell surface markers and gene expression profiles that help characterize the unique population of adipocyte progenitors in the adipose tissue. These findings provide new insights into the interplay between adipose tissue and the vasculature, which could inform therapeutic approaches for obesity and diabetes.The study investigates the identity and location of white adipocyte progenitors, which are crucial for understanding adipocyte development and its implications for human health. Using genetically marked mice, the researchers isolated proliferating and renewing adipogenic progenitors. They found that most adipocytes descend from a pool of these progenitors that are already committed prenatally or early in postnatal life. These progenitors reside in the mural cell compartment of the adipose vasculature, not in other tissues' vasculature. The adipose vasculature thus functions as a progenitor niche, potentially providing signals for adipocyte development. The study also highlights the adipose stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) as a potential source of adipocyte progenitors and demonstrates the adipogenic potential of FACS-isolated GFP+ SV cells both in vitro and after transplantation. Additionally, the research identifies specific cell surface markers and gene expression profiles that help characterize the unique population of adipocyte progenitors in the adipose tissue. These findings provide new insights into the interplay between adipose tissue and the vasculature, which could inform therapeutic approaches for obesity and diabetes.