Adipose Tissue Fibrosis Analysis Service
InquiryOverview of Adipose Tissue Fibrosis
Obesity is a chronic disease that disturbs the body's energy balance, leading not only to increased fat mass but also to fibrosis in white adipose tissue. This fibrosis results from overactive fibroblasts producing excessive extracellular matrix, influenced by the state of adipocytes. While normal adipocyte hypertrophy protects organs from lipotoxicity, chronic obesity causes these cells to induce fibrosis through inflammation, hypoxia, and increased myofibroblasts. This fibrosis impairs adipose tissue function and contributes to various diseases. To help clients research potential treatments that target dysregulated signaling and epigenetic changes in adipocytes to reverse fibrosis and combat obesity, Protheragen conducts a comprehensive analysis and characterization of adipose tissue fibrosis.
Unlock Your Body's Potential with Adipose Tissue Expansion Analysis
Given the close link between obesity and fibrosis, we utilize a variety of animal models, primarily murine models, to delve into the mechanisms of adipose tissue fibrosis and its development in obesity. Our service helps in understanding the mechanisms of adipose tissue fibrosis, which is a critical component of metabolic dysfunction in obesity, and identifies key factors involved in the fibrotic process. Such insights are essential for identifying potential therapeutic targets, guiding anti-obesity drug development, and informing preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new treatments aimed at reversing fibrosis and improving metabolic health.
Targets for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics | Anti-Obesity Therapy Development | Preclinical Studies of Anti-Obesity Therapeutics |
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We utilize a range of animal models, including knockout and overexpression models, to study the specific molecular targets involved in adipose tissue fibrosis. We tailor these models to your research needs, whether you are interested in specific genes, microRNAs, or other biological factors. Our expertise in animal husbandry and experimental design ensures that your studies are conducted with precision and accuracy.
In addition to animal modeling, we employ a suite of advanced analytical techniques to assess fibrosis within adipose tissue.
Staining
To analyze the adipocyte morphology and collagen content within the adipose tissue, we use staining techniques such as hematoxylin and eosin, picrosirius red, and Masson's trichrome. Hematoxylin and eosin staining helps us visualize the adipocytes, while picrosirius red staining specifically highlights the collagen fibers. Masson's trichrome stain, on the other hand, stains a wide range of tissue components, including collagen, mucus, nuclei, and cytoplasm, allowing us to discern a broader tissue context. Furthermore, we use pimonidazole hydrochloride to stain hypoxic cells, which gives us insights into the metabolic state of the adipose tissue.
Imaging
Imaging techniques play a crucial role in our evaluation of adipose tissue fibrosis. Polarized light microscopy, for instance, allows us to detect different collagen types based on their appearance under polarized light and Sirius red staining. Confocal microscopy provides us with a 3D view of the adipocyte size and collagen amount, enabling us to discern differences between healthy and fibrotic tissues. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy offers another powerful imaging tool, as it images collagen fibers without staining, allowing for a detailed evaluation of collagen dispersion and structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further complement our imaging capabilities by visualizing adipocytes and ECM fibers at higher resolutions.
Mechanical Testing
To gain a mechanical understanding of adipose tissue fibrosis, we perform tensile testing on fresh tissue samples. By securing the samples between clamps and measuring the peak force and tensile strength, we assess the degree of fibrosis. Higher peak forces and tensile strengths indicate a higher degree of fibrosis. Additionally, we use rheological testing to measure stiffness on the macroscale, which correlates with increased collagen content. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides us with a microscale measure of stiffness, although it is limited to the surface of the sample. Shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) are noninvasive imaging techniques that allow us to measure tissue elasticity and viscosity.
Gene Expression and Assays
At the molecular level, we investigate the expression of specific genes linked to adipose tissue fibrosis, such as TGFβ1, αSMA, COL1, and COL6, using PCR-based techniques. Furthermore, we perform assays to measure the abundance of hydroxyproline, a signature amino acid for fibrillar collagens, which gives us an indication of the collagen content in the tissue.
Cell Type Frequencies
Finally, we use flow cytometry to analyze the frequency of different cell types within the adipose tissue, such as stem cells, mast cells, and macrophages. By staining the cells with specific antibodies and sorting them using flow cytometry, we gain insights into the cellular composition of the adipose tissue and its potential role in fibrosis.
Workflow
Applications
- Our service can be used to explore how obesity leads to fibrosis through mechanisms such as inflammation, hypoxia, and increased myofibroblasts.
- Our service can be used to understand the molecular underpinnings of fibrosis, develop various therapeutic approaches.
- Our service can be used to analyze fibrosis in adipose tissue helps in understanding how obesity leads to fibrosis through mechanisms such as inflammation, hypoxia, and increased myofibroblasts.
Advantages
- Our team comprises experienced biologists, geneticists, and immunologists, ensuring the rationality of experimental design and the accuracy of data.
- Whether you conduct your research entirely through our service or need additional experiments to complement your existing work, we adapt to your needs.
- We have a well-equipped laboratory and a robust management system, enabling us to complete each research project efficiently.
Publication Data
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33800-0
Journal: Nature Communications
Published: 2022
IF: 14.7
Result: In this study, the authors investigate the molecular mechanisms linking adipocyte plasticity to adipose tissue fibrosis, revealing that the Hippo pathway is coupled with TGFβ signaling to orchestrate a shift in adipocytes from energy storage to ECM remodeling during adipose tissue fibrosis. They found that Lats1/2-knockout adipocytes can dedifferentiate into DPP4 progenitor cells and subsequently become DPP4+-myofibroblasts upon TGFβ stimulation, while Hippo pathway inhibition during obesity impairs adipocyte identity and enhances ECM remodeling. Macrophages recruited by CCL2 produce TGFβ, which accelerates adipose tissue fibrosis, and YAP/TAZ, as downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, enhance SMAD2 stability to promote fibrotic responses. Importantly, inhibiting YAP/TAZ activity in obese mice significantly alleviates AT fibrosis and improves metabolic homeostasis, suggesting the Hippo pathway as a therapeutic target for treating AT fibrosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What diseases are associated with adipose tissue fibrosis?
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Kidney disease
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What are the regulators of fibrosis?
TGF-β is a key regulator of fibrosis, driving fibroblast and myofibroblast activation and ECM buildup. In mammals, it exists as three isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. In the canonical pathway, TGF-β binds to TGFBR2, recruiting TGFBR1 to phosphorylate SMAD2/3. These then form a complex with SMAD4, moving to the nucleus to trigger ECM gene expression. TGF-β also signals through non-canonical pathways, including MAPKs (ERK, JNK, p38), PI3K/AKT, and ROCKs, further promoting fibrosis.
Protheragen conducts a comprehensive analysis and characterization of adipose tissue fibrosis. This service is crucial for understanding the extent and nature of fibrosis, which is a critical factor in the progression of obesity and related metabolic disorders. If you are interested in our Obesity Pathobiology Research Service ensures a thorough understanding of adipose tissue fibrosis, contact us!
Reference
- Shen, H.; et al. The Hippo pathway links adipocyte plasticity to adipose tissue fibrosis. Nature Communications. 2022, 13(1): 6030. (CC BY 4.0)
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.