Observations on the Growth and Metabolic Functions of Cultured Cells Derived from Human Adipose Tissue 1

Abstract

Summary

The growth and metabolic activity of cultured cells derived from human adipose tissue (CAT cells) were studied and compared to cultured skin fibroblasts. The morphological appearance of the CAT cells was distinctly different from that of fibroblasts. The growth rate of CAT cells as measured by ³H-thymidine incorporation was much slower than the fibroblast growth rate. Cultured CAT cells synthesized significantly more ¹⁴C-lipid from ¹⁴C-glucose, while fibroblast cultures had a higher metabolic rate as measured by CO₂ production. Insulin stimulated ³H-thymidine incorporation in both CAT and fibroblast cultures. The CAT cells did not show a consistent insulin response of lipid or CO₂ production, but this may be a reflection of donor age or nutritional status. Even though the CAT cell may be a type of stromal cell peculiar to adipose tissue rather than a preadipocyte or adipocyte, it may prove useful in studies of human obesity.