Genes known to regulate EC proliferation, migration and maturation, namely Rhoc, Tmsb10, Dll4, Sox4, Col4a1, Col4a2, Kdr, Flt1, Acvrl1 and Itgb1 (refs. 19–21), showed obesity-associated changes in AT cap ECs (Extended Data Fig. 3j). This evidence concerns the gene COL4A2 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.