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Can viruses infect adipose cells or tissue?

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    $\begingroup$ What do you mean by ‘store’ viruses? $\endgroup$
    – user438383
    Dec 24, 2021 at 18:59
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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to Biology.SE. This is not simply an answer site, but instead a site that promotes self-learning with some expert help. Consequently, questions that show little or no prior research effort are off-topic on this site. We are also not a research service for debunking vague nonsense from fiction. Please edit your question to: 1) be clear, focused, and specific; and 2) tell us where you've looked for answers, what you do know about the topic, and where exactly you still have questions. Please take the tour and consult the help center starting with How to Ask for details. $\endgroup$
    – tyersome
    Dec 24, 2021 at 19:08
  • $\begingroup$ basically can virus get into a fat cell? $\endgroup$
    – K H
    Dec 24, 2021 at 19:12
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    $\begingroup$ long story short- a longer story would be appreciated $\endgroup$
    – acvill
    Dec 25, 2021 at 17:33

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Research demonstrated that viruses including HIV virus can find sanctuary in adipose tissue cells. Earlier studies showed that interactions between immune cells and adipocytes, specifically perinodal adipocytes, promote immune activation and adipose inflammation,suggesting adipocyte regulation of HIV replication and pathogenesis. Adipose tissue is categorized as mainly subcutaneous or visceral depots, with other minor depots uniquely associated with critical tissues and organs such as lymph nodes (perinodal fat) and the heart (pericardial and epicardial fat). Adipose tissue contains mature adipocytes and stromal-vascular-fraction cells (AT-SVF cells) which includes preadipocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells, and this cellular composition changes significantly during disease and metabolic disorders, most notably obesity. Murine models demonstrated migration of immune cells into adipose tissue to become major regulators of adipocyte function and metabolism, and studies of healthy and diseased humans further showed significant accumulation of immune cells. Additionally, virion-free circulating HIV proteins such as vpr, nef, and tat were shown to mediate detrimental effects on adipose tissue health and systemic metabolism.

So yes, the viruses can "live" and "reside" inside adipose tissue and regulate that environment to their own benefit.

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