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Human Cell Culture Protocols pp 203–214Cite as

Culture of Isolated Human Adipocytes and Isolated Adipose Tissue

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 806))

Abstract

Adipose tissue (AT) is no longer considered merely as insulation or padding for human organs. It is an endocrine organ in its own right, which includes composite cells with the ability to differentiate into multiple cell lines. In fact, there is increasing evidence to support the theory that the causation of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders originate at the cellular or tissue level. Adipocyte dysfunction and chronic inflammatory states are able to modulate triglyceride storage and mobilization directly through cytokine and adipokine release. Significant variability exists between adipocyte isolation and culture techniques which subsequently can impact experimental results. We aim to explain the importance of controlling these variables, to assist tailoring methodological choice towards the investigational outcomes, and modifications of the techniques used accordingly. The techniques described in this chapter yield cell and adipose tissue which can be utilised in many different ways, including adipose tissue stem cells for differentiation, DNA analysis, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, lipolysis, glucose uptake, and LPL activity.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mr. Ameet G Patel for his generous support throughout this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, King’s College Hospital and King’s College London, London, UK

    Kirstin A. Carswell

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Mi-Jeong Lee

  3. Boston Obesity Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Mi-Jeong Lee & Susan K. Fried

  4. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Susan K. Fried

Authors
  1. Kirstin A. Carswell
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  2. Mi-Jeong Lee
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  3. Susan K. Fried
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kirstin A. Carswell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

    Ragai R. Mitry

  2. School of Medicine, Inst. Liver Studies, King's College London, Bessemer Rd., London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

    Robin D. Hughes

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Carswell, K.A., Lee, MJ., Fried, S.K. (2012). Culture of Isolated Human Adipocytes and Isolated Adipose Tissue. In: Mitry, R., Hughes, R. (eds) Human Cell Culture Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 806. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-367-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-367-7_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-366-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-367-7

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