Perivascular adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells contribute to vascular remodeling during aging

Aging is an independent risk factor for vascular diseases. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), an active component of the vasculature, contributes to vascular dysfunction during aging. Identification of underlying cell types and their changes during aging may provide meaningful insights regarding the clinical relevance of aging‐related vascular diseases. Here, we take advantage of single‐cell RNA sequence to characterize the resident stromal cells in the PVAT (PVASCs) and identified different clusters between young and aged PVASCs. Bioinformatics analysis revealed decreased endothelial and brown adipogenic differentiation capacities of PVASCs during aging, which contributed to neointimal hyperplasia after perivascular delivery to ligated carotid arteries. Mechanistically, in vitro and in vivo studies both suggested that aging‐induced loss of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1 α (PGC1α) was a key regulator of decreased brown adipogenic differentiation in senescent PVASCs. We further demonstrated the existence of human PVASCs (hPVASCs) and overexpression of PGC1α improved hPVASC delivery‐induced vascular remodeling. Our finding emphasizes that differentiation capacities of PVASCs alter during aging and loss of PGC1α in aged PVASCs contributes to vascular remodeling via decreased brown adipogenic differentiation.     

Deep subcutaneous adipose tissue: a distinct abdominal adipose depot

Objective: Abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) display significant metabolic differences, with VAT showing a functional association to metabolic/cardiovascular disorders. A third abdominal adipose layer, derived by the division of SAT and identified as deep subcutaneous adipose tissue (dSAT), may play a significant and independent metabolic role. The aim of this study was to evaluate depot‐specific differences in the expression of proteins key to adipocyte metabolism in a lean population to establish a potential physiologic role for dSAT. Research Methods and Procedures: Adipocytes and preadipocytes were isolated from whole biopsies taken from superficial SAT (sSAT), dSAT, and VAT samples obtained from 10 healthy normal weight patients (7 women and 3 men), with a mean age of 56.4 ± 4.04 years and a mean BMI of 23.1 ± 0.5 kg/m². Samples were evaluated for depot‐specific differences in insulin sensitivity using adiponectin, glucose transport protein 4 (GLUT4), and resistin mRNA and protein expression, glucocorticoid metabolism by 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type‐1 (11β‐HSD1) expression, and alterations in the adipokines leptin and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Results: Although no regional differences in expression were observed for adiponectin or TNF‐α, dSAT whole biopsies and adipocytes, while intermediary to both sSAT and VAT, reflected more of the VAT expression profile of 11β‐HSD1, leptin, and resistin. Only in the case of the intracellular pool of GLUT4 proteins in whole biopsies was an independent pattern of expression observed for dSAT. In an evaluation of the homeostatic model, dSAT 11β‐HSD1 protein (r = 0.9573, p = 0.0002) and TNF‐α mRNA (r = 0.8210, p = 0.0236) correlated positively to the homeostatic model. Discussion: Overall, dSAT seems to be a distinct abdominal adipose depot supporting an independent metabolic function that may have a potential role in the development of obesity‐associated complications.     

A novel technique to propagate primary human preadipocytes without loss of differentiation capacity

Objective: The study of human preadipocytes is hampered by the limited availability of adipose tissue and low yield of cell preparation. Proliferation of preadipocytes using common protocols, including fetal bovine serum (FBS), results in a markedly reduced differentiation capacity. Therefore, we were interested in developing an improved culture system that allows the proliferation of human preadipocytes without loss of differentiation capacity. Research Methods and Procedures: Adipose tissue samples were taken from subjects undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Cells were seeded at various densities and cultured using different formulations of proliferation media including factors such as fibroblast growth factor‐2 (basic fibroblast growth factor), epidermal growth factor, insulin, and FBS either alone or in combination. Cells were counted and induced to differentiate after confluence. After complete differentiation, cells were harvested, and glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity was measured. Cells were subcultured for up to five passages. Results: The proliferation medium with 4 growth factors (PM4), consisting of 2.5% FBS, 10 ng/mL epidermal growth factor, 1 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, and 8.7 µM insulin, resulted in lower doubling times at all seeding densities tested (0.05 × 10⁴ to 1.5 × 10⁴) compared with medium supplemented with 10% FBS. In contrast to cells in FBS medium, cells grown with PM4 medium retained full differentiation rate (glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity, 493 ± 215 vs. 41 ± 17 mU/mg, p < 0.01). Differentiation capacity was fully retained at least for up to three passages in PM4 medium. Discussion: The use of PM4 medium results in substantial proliferation of human preadipocytes with preserved differentiation capacity. This novel technique represents a valuable tool for the study of human adipose tissue development and function starting from small samples.     

Adipocyte-derived lipoprotein lipase induces macrophage activation and monocyte adhesion: role of fatty acids

Objective: We evaluated the effect of adipocyte‐derived lipoprotein lipase (LPL) on macrophage activation and monocyte adhesion and the role of fatty acids in these effects. Research Methods and Procedures: 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were incubated with heparin or insulin to induce LPL secretion; then adipocyte conditioned media (CM) were added to cultured J774 macrophages or human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Macrophage cytokine production and monocyte adhesion to HAECs were determined. Results: Incubation of macrophages with heparin‐ or insulin‐treated adipocyte CM increased tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin‐6, and nitric oxide production by these cells. LPL neutralization and heparinase treatment prevented these effects. Addition of active LPL or palmitate to cultured macrophages replicated these effects. Blockade of leptin also reduced the effect of insulin‐treated adipocyte CM on macrophage inflammatory changes. Induction of macrophage cytokine secretion by leptin was prevented by LPL immunoneutralization. Finally, addition of CM of heparin‐ or insulin‐treated adipocytes to HAECs stimulated monocyte adhesion to these cells, an effect that was abrogated by an anti‐LPL antibody. This effect was reproduced by treating HAECs with active LPL or palmitate. Discussion: These results point to an effect of LPL‐mediated lipolysis in macrophage activation and monocyte adhesion.     

Zic1 mRNA is transiently upregulated in subcutaneous fat of acutely cold-exposed mice

In the mammalian adipose organ cold exposure not only activates typical brown adipose tissue, but also induces browning, that is the formation of thermogenic multilocular adipocytes in white, or predominantly white, adipose depots such as subcutaneous fat. Unlike typical brown adipocytes, newly formed thermogenic adipocytes have been reported not to express the gene zinc finger of the cerebellum 1 (Zic1). Here, a time course approach enabled us to document a significant increase in Zic1 messenger RNA in inguinal subcutaneous fat from acutely (24 hr) cold-exposed mice, which was paralleled by an increase in multilocular and paucilocular uncoupling protein 1-positive adipocytes and in parenchymal noradrenergic innervation. This transient, depot-specific molecular signature was associated not to Zic1 promoter demethylation, but to chromatin remodeling through an H3K9me3 histone modification. These findings challenge the notion that Zic1 is exclusively expressed by typical brown adipocytes and suggest its involvement in brown adipocyte precursor differentiation and/or white-to-brown adipocyte transdifferentiation.     

Adipose-derived exosomes: A novel adipokine in obesity-associated diabetes

Dysfunction of the adipose tissue is a central driver for obesity-associated diabetes. It is characterized by dysregulated adipokine secretion, which contributes to insulin resistance of key metabolic tissues, including the liver, skeletal muscles, and fat itself. The inter-organ cross talk between the adipose tissue and the other organs as well as the intra-organ cross talk between adipocytes and macrophages within the adipose tissue, traditionally mediated by hormones, was recently evidenced to be regulated by adipose-derived exosomes. Exosomes are nano-sized membrane-bound vesicles secreted by the donor cells to modify intercellular communication by translating constituent nucleic acids and proteins to the target cells. Herein, we reviewed the latest progress in understanding the role of adipose-derived exosomes in the development of insulin resistance, a key mechanism that underpins diabetes and diabetic complications, with a special focus on the role of exosomal miRNAs (micro RNAs) and proteins, and discusses the potential implications of targeting adipose tissue-derived exosomes for diabetic therapeutics.     

线粒体质量控制与米色脂肪之间的关系

近年来,肥胖患病率不断上升,肥胖已成为全球性公共卫生问题.肥胖能够增加高血压、冠心病等心血管疾病的发病风险,防治肥胖已经成为亟待解决的社会问题.米色脂肪是一种产热型脂肪细胞,可在受到寒冷、药物、运动等外界刺激下由白色脂肪细胞转化而来,但其形态和功能却与白色脂肪细胞不同,而与棕色脂肪细胞类似,即米色脂肪同样含有丰富的线粒...