Transient overexpression of Pparγ2 and C/ebpα in mesenchymal stem cells induces brown adipose tissue formation

Dmitriy Sheyn, Gadi Pelled, Wafa Tawackoli, Susan Su, Shiran Ben-David, Dan Gazit, Zulma Gazit*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Brown adipose tissue plays a pivotal role in mammal metabolism and thermogenesis. It has a great therapeutic potential in several metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are suitable candidates for brown adipose tissue formation de novo. Pparγ2 and C/ebpα are nucleic receptors known to mediate adipogenic differentiation. We hypothesized that overexpression of the Pparγ2 and C/ebpα genes in MSCs would lead to the formation of adipose tissue. Materials & methods: MSCs bearing the Luc reporter gene were transfected to overexpress Pparγ2 and C/ebpα. Differentiation of nucleofected cells was evaluated in vitro and in vivo following ectopic implantation of the cells in C3H/HeN mice. Results: After implantation, the engineered cells survived for 5 weeks and brown adipose-like tissue was observed in histological samples. Immunostaining and bioluminescent imaging showed new adipocytes expressing Luc and the brown adipose tissue marker, UCP1, in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: We show that gene delivery of transcription factors into MSCs generates brown adipose tissue in vitro and in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)295-308
Number of pages14
JournalRegenerative Medicine
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • adipogenesis
  • bioluminescent imaging
  • brown adipose tissue
  • MSCs
  • nucleofection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transient overexpression of Pparγ2 and C/ebpα in mesenchymal stem cells induces brown adipose tissue formation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this