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Separation of human adipocytes by size: hypertrophic fat cells display distinct gene expression
Author(s) -
Jernås Margareta,
Palming Jenny,
Sjöholm Kajsa,
Jennische Eva,
Svensson Per-Arne,
Gabrielsson Britt G.,
Levin Max,
Sjögren Anders,
Rudemo Mats,
Lystig Theodore C.,
Carlsson Björn,
Carlsson Lena M. S.,
Lonn Malin
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.05-5678fje
Subject(s) - adipose tissue , adipocyte , medicine , endocrinology , insulin resistance , biology , gene expression , immunohistochemistry , gene , microarray , cell type , adipogenesis , microarray analysis techniques , cell , obesity , genetics
Enlarged adipocytes are associated with insulin resistance and are an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes. To understand the molecular link between these diseases and adipocyte hypertrophy, we developed a technique to separate human adipocytes from an adipose tissue sample into populations of small cells (mean 57.6±3.54 pm) and large cells (mean 100.1±3.94 pm). Microarray analysis of the cell populations separated from adipose tissue from three subjects identified 14 genes, of which five immune‐related, with more than fourfold higher expression in large cells than small cells. Two of these genes were serum amyloid A (SAA) and transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1). Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis of SAA and TM4SF1 expression in adipocytes from seven subjects revealed 19‐fold and 22‐fold higher expression in the large cells, respectively, and a correlation between adipocyte size and both SAA and TM4SF1 expression. The results were verified using immunohistochemistry. In comparison with 17 other human tissues and cell types by microarray, large adipocytes displayed by far the highest SAA and TM4SF1 expression. Thus, we have identified genes with markedly higher expression in large, compared with small, human adipocytes. These genes may link hypertrophic obesity to insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes.—Jernås, M., Palming, J., Sjöholm, K., Jennische, E., Svensson, P.‐A., Gabrielsson, B. G., Levin, M., Sjögren, A., Rudemo, M., Lystig, T. C., Carlsson, B., Carlsson, L. M. S., Lönn, M. Separation of human adipocytes by size: hypertrophic fat cells display distinct gene expression. FASEB J. 20, E832–E839 (2006)