Relationship between replication and differentiation in cultured
human adipocyte precursor cells.
Entenmann, Gero, and Hans Hauner.
Diabetes Research Institute, D-40225 D[umlaut]usseldorf,
Germany
APStracts 2:0394C, 1995.
Aim of this study was to investigate the role of cell replication for
the differentiation of human adipocyte precursor cells in primary
culture. When cells were seeded in a medium supplemented with 10 %
fetal bovine serum, they started to proliferate within 48 hours after
exposure as assessed by cell counting and 3H-thymidine
autoradiography. When cells were inoculated in the absence of serum,
a significant degree of cell proliferation was not detectable.
Histochemical investigations using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation
demonstrated that cells replicating their DNA did not accumulate
lipid droplets. Inoculating adipocyte precursor cells under
completely serum-free conditions resulted in a 30 to 50 % higher
expression of lipogenic enzymes such as glycerol-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase and lipoprotein lipase than keeping cells in serum
-supplemented medium for the initial 16 hours. Addition of cytosin
arabinoside at concentrations which effectively block mitosis did not
interfere with adipocyte development. In conclusion, adipocyte
precursor cells from human adipose tissue do not require cell
division to enter the differentiation process in vitro. These cells
may have already undergone possibly critical cell divisions in vivo
and may be in a late stage of adipocyte development.
Received 31 March 1995; accepted in final form 6 October 1995
APS Manuscript Number C181-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 30 November 95