Activin a plays a critical role in proliferation and differentiation of human adipose progenitors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Growth of white adipose tissue takes place in normal development and in obesity. A pool of adipose progenitors is responsible for the formation of new adipocytes and for the potential of this tissue to expand in response to chronic energy overload. However, factors controlling self-renewal of human adipose progenitors are largely unknown. We investigated the expression profile and the role of activin A in this process.

Research design and methods

Expression of INHBA/activin A was investigated in three types of human adipose progenitors. We then analyzed at the molecular level the function of activin A during human adipogenesis. We finally investigated the status of activin A in adipose tissues of lean and obese subjects and analyzed macrophage-induced regulation of

SUBMITTER: Zaragosi LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3279533 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature