First description of mechanoreceptors in the corpus adiposum infrapatellare of man

The sensory innervation of the corpus adiposum infrapatellare of the human knee joint was studied by light microscopy. Small lamellated corpuscles (pacinian corpuscles) were found in the adipose tissue of the corpus adiposum infrapatellare. The lamellated corpuscles measured about 20 microns and consisted of 3-4 lamellae. It is discussed whether the corpus adiposum infrapatellare might perform a sensory function, influencing the muscle tone via polysynaptic reflexes.

The role of insulin receptor sulphydryl groups in insulin binding and cellular response in rat adipocytes

Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), an agent which reacts with vicinal sulphydryl groups and dithiothreitol (DTT), a disulphide reducing agent, inhibited insulin binding to intact adipocytes with half maximal inhibition occurring at 28 microM and 340 microM, respectively. Pretreatment of adipocytes with DTT (2mM) prevented insulin stimulation of glucose uptake by approximately 50%. The marked inhibition of insulin binding to adipocytes by PAO and DTT is consistent with the involvement of the receptor cysteine-rich region of hormone binding. Furthermore, DTT inhibition of insulin binding suggests that the integrity of disulphide bridges is critical for insulin binding. The inhibitory effect of DTT and PAO on insulin binding were not additive, instead addition of DTT to PAO-treated adipocytes effected 15% reversal of binding inhibition. The marked inhibition of insulin binding by addition of low concentrations of DTT (0.2-2.0mM) to intact adipocytes is in contrast to the previously reported biphasic response for the effect of DTT on insulin binding to isolated plasma membranes from rat adipocytes (Schweitzer et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 4692-4696, 1980). Scatchard plots for 125I-iodoinsulin binding to adipocytes in the basal state were linear. In contrast, Scatchard analysis of insulin binding to plasma membranes prepared from both basal and insulin-stimulated adipocytes yielded severely curvilinear plots. The data suggests that (i) fundamental differences exist between the receptor state in intact cells and isolated plasma membranes and (ii) that a disulphide-rich region within the insulin receptor, other than the previously reported class I and class II disulphide bridges, is critical for insulin binding and cellular response.

The milky spots on the chest wall in newborns

The histologic properties of pleural adipose organs were studied in 14 newborns. These organs contain milky spots, in which lymphocytes, macrophages and plurivacuolated fat cells are present. The milky spots have a mesothelial covering, persist to the age of 9 months and seem to act as defence devices and a site of fluid exchange.

Localized lipodystrophy with panniculitis: light and electron microscopic studies

A 41-year-old woman with localized lipodystrophy histologically showed lymphohistiocytic inflammation within adipose tissue at the periphery and loss of adipose tissue in the center of the lesion. Ultrastructurally, various degrees of lipophagocytosis by macrophages and giant cells were seen, starting with the projection of cytoplasmic processes into the fat droplet and engulfing pieces of the fat droplet which finally were digested. Laboratory investigations revealed a high serum gamma-globulin level and a positive antinuclear antibody, suggestive of a connective tissue disease or autoimmune disease.

Effect of phenylarsine oxide on fluid phase endocytosis: further evidence for activation of the glucose transporter

We have shown previously that insulin stimulates fluid phase endocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Gibbs et al., 1986). Using [14C]sucrose as an endocytotic marker, we show here that phenylarsine oxide, a trivalent arsenical which binds neighboring dithiols, blocked not only insulin-stimulated fluid phase endocytosis, but basal endocytosis as well. The Ki for this process was 6 microM in the presence or absence of insulin and the time required for inhibition was less than 2.5 min, the limit of detection in our assay system. These results can be compared with the inhibitory effect of phenylarsine oxide on insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Although the Ki for insulin-stimulated transport (7 microM) was similar to that for inhibition of endocytosis, basal glucose transport was not affected by the inhibitor. Further, when cells were prestimulated with insulin causing maximal stimulation of the glucose transport rate, phenylarsine oxide induced a time-dependent reduction to the basal rate (t 1/2 of 10 min), despite the fact that endocytosis was blocked immediately. This observation suggests that if the transporter is recycled by an exocytotic/endocytotic mechanism, it is distinct from fluid-phase endocytosis/exocytosis, which is a vesicle-mediated process, and provides further evidence that the transporter may undergo intrinsic activation/inactivation which does not require vesicle movement.

The formation of multivesicular structures in the adipose cells of chick embryos

Observation of the cytogenesis of adipose tissue of the chick embryo revealed a quantity of multiversicular structures (MVs) which were found in the intercellular space. Some of them were attached to the adipocytes and others were independently located in the intercellular space. The origin of those MVs appeared to be part of the degenerating mitochondria. Centrally located vesicles and vacuoles in degenerating mitochondria formed a group of short tubules and vacuoles which protruded through the cytoplasmic membrane or bulged out at the edge of the cytoplasmic process. The MVs then spread over the cytoplasmic membrane and finally were discharged from the cell surface as in the manner of apocrine secretion. An invisible barrier between the mass of vesicles and the rest of the cytoplasmic structures appeared to segregate the extruding MVs from the intercellular components such as ribosomes, microtubules, and microfilaments.

Regression of white adipose tissue in diabetic rats

The effects of long-term diabetes (4 wk) on the development of parametrial (PWAT) and retroperitoneal (RWAT) white adipose tissues were studied in young Sprague-Dawley rats (170-200 g) injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (75 mg/kg). Diabetes stopped animal growth and totally abolished the normal increases in the wet weight, total protein content, and cellularity (estimated by DNA content) of PWAT and RWAT. Remarkably, the prolonged lack of insulin induced a progressive decrease of the cellularity of RWAT to levels that were lower than those of the initial controls. It also resulted in a marked reduction of adipocyte size. The tiny adipocytes seen in diabetic animals were characterized by the presence of multilocular triglyceride droplets. In general, the decreases in cell number, cell size, and protein content were more pronounced in RWAT than in PWAT. Quantitative cellular frequency studies revealed that adipocytes, and possibly also endothelial cells, contribute to the decrease in RWAT cellularity. The results demonstrate that 1) diabetes inhibits proliferative activity in adipose tissue, 2) total cell number reduction may occur in adipose depot of young growing rats, 3) this effect is depot dependent, and 4) the turnover of adipocytes and endothelial cells is relatively slow (several weeks).

Effects of a phorbol ester on cell proliferation, cytoskeleton and chromosomes in 3T3 T proadipocytes

Tumour-promoting 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) showed a biphasic effect on cell proliferation of BALB/3T3 T proadipocytes. TPA (100 ng/ml) inhibited cell proliferation after 6-18 h of treatment but stimulated it during the next 3 d. Cultures treated with TPA for 24 d showed a 3.3 times higher saturation density compared with those without TPA treatment. TPA-induced morphological alterations were studied by immunofluorescence and scanning electronmicroscopy. In addition, detergent-extracted whole mount cell observations were carried out with or without immuno-electronmicroscopy. The results showed that TPA induced a rapid and reversible assembly of actin filaments and redistribution of microtubules which commenced as early as 15-20 min, but did not influence the frequency of sister chromatid exchange.

Alterations in low-density lipoproteins in subjects with abdominal adiposity

Abdominal adiposity, as indexed by the waist to hip girth ratio (WHR), has been associated with increased risk and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to determine if this enhanced risk is related to alterations in the structure of low density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL were isolated from nine nonobese men with an average WHR of 1.046 and nine nonobese men with a WHR of 0.94, who were matched on age (45.6 +/- 2.7 v 47.7 +/- 2.3 mean +/- SEM) percent body fat (26.5 +/- 0.5 v 26.1 +/- 0.9), and body mass index (27.3 +/- 0.6 v 26.3 +/- 0.6). The average molecular weight of LDL from the subjects with a high WHR was lower than that of subjects with low WHR (2.70 v 3.02 x 10(6) d), the average hydrated density higher (1.050 v 1.040 g/mL), and the mobility (Rf) on 2% to 16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis higher. Subfractionation by equilibrium density ultracentrifugation showed that the LDL of subjects with a high WHR was predominantly in the heavy density range (1.038 to 1.048 g/mL) compared with the LDL of subjects with low WHR, which was in the lighter density range (1.030 to 1.040 g/mL). Chemical analysis of the subfractions showed that the peak density fractions of LDL of subjects with a high WHR had a lower cholesterol to protein ratio than the peak density fractions of LDL of subjects with low WHR. Electron microscopy of these peak density fractions showed that LDL of subjects with high WHR was smaller than that of subjects with low WHR. These characteristics of LDL of subjects with abdominal adiposity closely resemble the properties of LDL of patients with documented CHD. It is concluded that the increased risk of CHD associated with abdominal adiposity may be due in part to the alterations in LDL characteristics, and that these alterations in LDL are independent of the degree of obesity.

Growth hormone-induced alteration of morphology and tubulin expression in 3T3 preadipose cells

Effects of growth hormone on morphology and cytoskeletal protein expression were examined in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes in serum-free medium. Between 2 and 5 days of culture 2 nM methionyl human growth hormone converted 3T3-F442A cells from a flat fibroblastic morphology to a rounded form with numerous membrane convolutions. Growth hormone treated cultures manifested a 30-40% reduction in cell volume. Growth hormone induced changes in morphology and volume preceded and were independent of lipogenesis. In cells treated with growth hormone, expression of alpha and beta-tubulin as determined by Western blotting was found to increase approximately 50% within 72 h as compared to untreated cells. After 7 days, tubulin levels in growth hormone treated cells were approximately 40% of control levels. This indicated that morphological changes and alteration of tubulin expression were signatures of growth hormone action on 3T3-F442A cells.

Guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins expressed in rat white adipose tissue. Identification of both mRNAs and proteins corresponding to Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3

Considerable debate has focused on the molecular identity of the guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) in adipose tissue which can be detected following pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation [Rapiejko, Northup, Evans, Brown & Malbon (1986) Biochem. J. 240, 35-40; Hinsch, Rosenthal, Spicher, Binder, Gausepohl, Frank, Schultz & Joost (1988) FEBS Lett. 238, 191-196]. We have used a panel of selective anti-peptide antisera which are able to discriminate between the different pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins to assess which of these are expressed in rat adipose tissue. We demonstrate that plasma membranes of rat white adipocytes contain alpha subunits corresponding to each of Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3. Furthermore, using synthetic oligonucleotides complimentary to unique regions of each of the three polypeptides, we demonstrate that the mRNAs for the three G-protein alpha subunits can also be detected in adipose tissue.

Right ventricular dysplasia: an ultrastructural study

Ultrastructural observations on myocardial biopsies from patients developing clinical and/or echocardiographic and haemodynamic signs of dysplasia of the right ventricle did not reveal morphological defects of the myocardiocyte contraction apparatus, but showed evidence of fibrosis of the myocardial interstitium and modifications of the structures involved in the transmission of the action potential into the cardiac cells as well as of the junctional system between them. Interstitial adipocytes and intracellular lipid droplets were not increased in number.

Transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-beta) and adipogenesis in pigs

The present study was performed on s.c. adipose tissue of fetal pigs at 35 to 110 d of gestation to examine the distribution of TGF-beta-positive cells, to localize TGF-beta immunoreactivity at the cellular level using electron microscopy (EM), and to determine the effect of TGF-beta on primary cultures of pig adipose tissue cells. Tissues for EM were fixed and embedded in LR white resin. Sections then were incubated with a polyclonal antibody specific for TGF-beta and TGF-beta was located using 20 nm colloidal gold conjugated second antibody. Tissues were fixed and embedded in paraffin for localization of TGF-beta at the light microscope (LM) level. Tissues were incubated with anti-TGF-beta followed by localization using biotinylated second antibody. Using LM, only a few cells stained positively for TGF-beta within developing blood vessels at 35 d. By 50 d, more TGF-beta-positive cells were associated with forming capillary networks. Between 70 d and 110 d, positively stained adipocytes usually were clustered around blood vessels. Cells surrounding hair follicles stained positive for TGF-beta between 90 to 110 d. Electron microscopy revealed TGF-beta labeling within fat cells. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells did not exhibit TGF-beta immunoreactivity. The addition of TGF-beta to primary cultures of s.c. adipose tissue cells from newborn pigs prevented lipid filling in fat cells. This effect was dose-dependent, with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 3 pM maximum inhibition occurred at 40 pM. These results indicate that TGF-beta may regulate angiogenic activity and lipid filling in s.c. adipose tissue of fetal pigs. Although TGF-beta was present in adipocytes and in cells associated with developing capillary networks, the physiological role of TGF-beta during early adipose tissue development is not known.

Neuraminidase treatment of isolated rat adipocytes and differential regulation of basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport

The role of membrane carbohydrate in the function of insulin receptors and glucose transporters was investigated with neuraminidase to release sialic acid from isolated rat adipocytes. Pretreatment of adipocytes with neuraminidase resulted in an increase in basal glucose transport. At the same time, insulin-stimulated glucose transport was reduced by an average of 30%. The enzyme action on glucose transport was not due to a nonspecific membrane perturbation because neuraminidase caused only a nonsignificant decrease in the uptake of the amino acid analog alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid and had no effect on basal or insulin-stimulated protein synthesis. Insulin binding was slightly increased in neuraminidase-treated cells, yet the shapes of the dose-response curves for insulin stimulation of glucose transport were similar (EC50 = 0.087 +/- 0.010 and 0.082 +/- 0.008 nM for control and treated cells, respectively). The neuraminidase-induced increase in basal transport was the result of an increase in the affinity of the glucose-transport system (Km = 7.3 +/- 1.4 and 3.6 +/- 0.7 mM before and after treatment, respectively) with no change in Vmax. Conversely, enzyme treatment decreased the Vmax of insulin-stimulated 3-O-methylglucose transport from 87.8 +/- 13.2 to 41.3 +/- 4.9 pmol.2 x 10(5) cells-1.s-1 while not altering the Km. These changes in glucose-transport activity resulting from enzyme treatment were not due to alterations in glucose-transporter concentration on the plasma membrane as measured by the D-glucose-inhibitable binding of [3H]cytochalasin B. Thus, sialic acid plays multiple roles in the control of glucose-transport activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

S-100 protein in white preadipocytes: an immunoelectronmicroscopic study

Differentiation of adipocytes from their precursor cells (preadipocytes) is an important problem in the study of the pathogenesis of obesity. Unfortunately, among the immature stages of adipocytes, only relatively differentiated forms can be identified by their fine structure; because early preadipocytes cannot be distinguished from fibroblasts solely on the basis of their morphology, it is impossible to assess the size of the preadipocyte population. S-100 protein has been identified in various mammalian tissues and recently mature adipocytes have been shown to be positive for this protein. Because fibroblasts are negative for S-100 protein, the present study tested the S-100 immunoreactivity of preadipocytes by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) preembedding method at the ultrastructural level both in vivo and in culture. Mature adipocytes and early preadipocytes, including fibroblast-like cells devoid of lipid droplets, were positive both in vivo and in culture. Endothelial cells and pericytes were negative; but flattened, lipid-free, fibroblast-like cells surrounding the pericytes were positive. True fibroblasts both in vivo and in culture were negative. Therefore, S-100 protein can be a useful biochemical marker in distinguishing fibroblasts from early preadipocytes.

In vitro differentiation of fat-storing cells parallels marked increase of collagen synthesis and secretion

Fat-storing cells were isolated and purified from livers of normal adult rats and maintained in primary culture. By light and electron microscopy it was established that they underwent phenotypic changes into cells with the ultrastructural characteristics of myofibroblasts, between the third and sixth day in culture. These morphological changes were accompanied by a 2-fold increase of L-[3H]proline incorporation into secretory proteins and an 11-fold increase into secreted collagenase-sensitive proteins. In contrast, incorporation into cell layer-associated proteins and into cell layer-associated collagenase-sensitive proteins was not significantly elevated. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in combination with fluorography, demonstrated that the main collagen type secreted by the myofibroblast-like cells was collagen type I. Collagen types III and IV, and fibronectin were present in lesser amounts. The similarity between the well known in vivo alterations of fat-storing cells under pathological conditions and the spontaneous in vitro differentiation described in this study, makes primary cultures of fat-storing cells a valuable tool for studying their role in chronic liver disease.

Guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins Gi and Gs in fat-cells from normal, hypothyroid and obese human subjects

In human adipocyte plasma membranes, pertussis toxin catalysed the ADP-ribosylation of an apparently single 40 kDa protein. The same protein was also observed in Western blots by using an antibody which identifies the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi alpha (alpha subunit of Gi). In analogous experiments, cholera toxin and an antibody raised against the C-terminal decapeptide of Gs alpha (alpha subunit of Gs) were used to identify two proteins of 42 and 45 kDa, the former of which was more prominent. A method was developed to estimate the relative amounts of Gi and Gs in crude adipocyte plasma membranes in a single immunoblot by using the two antisera. In animal models, changes in the amounts of G-proteins have been suggested to explain alterations in hormone-responsiveness in hypothyroidism and obesity. However, the amounts of Gi and Gs were unaltered in thyroidectomized papillary-carcinoma patients who had been without hormone substitution for 4 weeks. In adipocyte plasma membranes prepared from markedly obese subjects, the amounts of both Gi alpha and Gs alpha as calculated per mg of protein were decreased, but the Gi/Gs ratio remained unaltered in comparison with control subjects.

Morphological characteristics of human fat-storing cells fractionated and cultured by newly techniques

Human non-parenchymal cells, especially fat-storing cells (FSCs), were isolated and primarily cultured using 1-2 g of normal human liver tissue obtained in conjunction with tumor biopsies. The human hepatic FSCs were cultured by a modified Howard and Pesch method. Microscopically the cultured human FSCs showed characteristic fat droplets like those in in vivo FSCs. The FSCs from tumor liver with serious fibrosis contained fewer fat droplets, and the fibrous constituents were especially abundant. The intermediate filaments extending longitudinally were characteristic of the cultured FSCs. In the human FSCs observed by the plasma polymerization replica method, the cells adhered and were stretched relatively thin. Particularly, the ends of the processes adhered and stretched like a folding fan to the bottom of the dish.

Nasu-Hakola disease (membranous lipodystrophy). Clinical, histopathological and biochemical studies of three cases

We report 3 cases of Nasu-Hakola disease found in 2 families. These cases had identical clinical features with progressive spastic paraplegia and severe dementia after adolescence. They had no history of any skeletal symptoms, but roentgenographs of their bones presented characteristic evidence of polycystic osteodysplasia. All cases revealed not only manifestations of this condition in the central nervous system, but also peripheral neuropathy with axonal degeneration. The membranous structures in the adipose tissues appeared histochemically to be composed of a kind of compound glycolipid or glycoprotein. Histopathologically, the biopsied rectum showed the infiltration of many histiocytes in the mucosa and ultrastructurally, the granules in these histiocytes showed many membrane-bound vacuoles of different sizes. Interestingly, the histochemical reactivity of the material in the granules was very similar to that of membranous structures in adipose tissues. In the biochemical analysis of lipids in affected adipose tissues, no marked abnormalities were found in the patients. Nasu-Hakola disease is not a typical form of lysosomal storage disease, because lysosomal enzyme activities remain normal and there is no accumulation of urinary oligosaccharides and lipids, no vacuolation of lymphocytes, and no hepatosplenomegaly. However, histochemical findings suggest that the lysosomes may be secondarily involved in this disease, and that the formation of membranous structures might be related to the disturbance of glycolipid or glycoprotein metabolisms.

Receptor binding and biological potency of despentapeptide insulin

The receptor binding and biological potency of despentapeptide insulin (DPI) was assessed in human adipocytes, rat adipocytes and rat hepatocytes. DPI displayed a lower affinity for binding to both human adipocytes (half-maximum displacement at 0.89 +/- 0.04 and 0.20 +/- 0.02 nmol/l for DPI and insulin respectively; P less than 0.001) and rat adipocytes (half-maximum displacement at 7.12 +/- 1.06 and 1.14 +/- 0.18 nmol/l respectively, P less than 0.05). However, although DPI was less potent than unmodified insulin in stimulating glucose uptake in rat adipocytes (half-maximal stimulation at 2.0 +/- 0.67 and 0.47 +/- 0.18 nmol/l respectively; P less than 0.05), DPI was equipotent with insulin in human adipocytes (half-maximal stimulation at 0.034 +/- 0.001 and 0.027 +/- 0.001 nmol/l respectively; P greater than 0.2). In rat hepatocytes, DPI was twofold less potent in binding displacement activity (half-maximum displacement at 3.8 +/- 0.9 and 1.7 +/- 0.3 nmol/l respectively; P less than 0.01) but appeared to be equivalent in stimulating amino butyric acid uptake (half-maximum stimulation at 0.98 +/- 0.12 and 0.95 +/- 0.26 nmol/l respectively). The difference in affinity of DPI binding to rat liver membranes was less marked (1.3 fold decreased compared with insulin: 5.3 +/- 0.7 and 4.2 +/- 0.6 nmol/l respectively; P less than 0.001). Thus, the decreased receptor affinity of DPI was reflected in decreased biological potency in rat adipocytes, but not in human adipocytes nor rat hepatocytes. These data suggest differences in the binding-action linking in the cells of different tissues and different species.

Ontogenetical changes in adipose tissue of the cat: convertible adipose tissue

The ultrastructural characteristics of the inguinal, interscapular, and perirenal adipose tissue in kittens and cats were studied. There were no qualitative differences among adipocytes in the three anatomical areas. The only recorded difference was in the amount of lipids stored in the adipocytes in younger stages. Immediately after birth lipids occupied 25% of the volume in the inguinal area, 15% in interscapular fat tissue, and 10% in perirenal fat tissue. At this stage the adipose tissue morphologically resembled brown adipose tissue (BAT) of rodents. Two weeks after birth, lipids accumulated and adipocytes in the inguinal area became unilocular and appeared similar to white adipose tissue (WAT). A similar transition occurred approx 25 days after birth in interscapular fat and approx 6 weeks after birth in the perirenal area. No morphological signs of any cell degradation or destruction, nor any increased activity of preadipocytes, were seen during this conversion from BAT-like to WAT-like adipose tissue. The conversion of the adipose tissue was correlated with a decrease in vascularization and innervation, a loss of intercellular connections, and a changed mitochondrial population. Mitochondria in multilocular adipocytes resembled those in typical BAT which contain uncoupling protein ("UC-mitochondria"). After conversion to unilocular adipocytes the amount of mitochondria was halved, their cristae even more reduced, and their appearance was of a WAT-type (UCP-lacking mitochondria, which are coupled under physiological conditions; "C-mitochondria"). Since this category of adipose tissue differs from both typical brown and white adipose tissue, the name "convertible adipose tissue" (CAT) is proposed. Apparently adipose tissue from comparatively large mammals is of this convertible type.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: light, ultrastructural and histochemical microscopic studies

Multiple subcutaneous plaques and nodules appeared on the back and the dorsal proximal area of the extremities of a 9-day-old male infant after a complicated prenatal period necessitating cesarean section. The clinical and histological features were diagnostic of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn. Light microscopy revealed adipocyte necrosis, a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate, and needle-shaped clefts within adipocytes and macrophages. Ultrastructurally, there were aggregations of electron-lucent spaces in the form of spindles and needles arranged in parallel within the altered adipocytes; macrophages surrounded these cells or their fragments and invaded the fat lobules. Enzyme histochemical staining, not previously reported in the literature, showed that acid phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, and indoxyl and non-specific esterases were present in the areas of fat necrosis.