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Immunohistochemical expression of S-100 protein in human embryonal fat cells
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Higher Medical Institute, 15A V. Aprilov St., BG-Plovdiv 4002, Bulgaria.
Insights
S-100 protein is present in early human fat cells, indicating its role in fat formation. This finding establishes S-100 protein as a marker for differentiating human fat cells during embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Subcutaneous fat development is crucial for energy storage and thermoregulation in early human life.
- Understanding the molecular markers of adipogenesis aids in comprehending early human development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of S-100 protein in differentiating subcutaneous fat cells during early human embryogenesis (6-12 weeks gestation).
- To determine if S-100 protein can serve as a specific marker for human fat cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemical analysis was employed to detect S-100 protein expression.
- Subcutaneous tissue from human embryos (6-12 weeks gestation) was examined.
Main Results:
- Preadipocytes in developing subcutaneous tissue showed positive S-100 protein expression.
- Mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, and endothelial cells exhibited negative S-100 protein staining.
- S-100 protein expression was observed concurrent with the initiation of lipidogenesis.
Conclusions:
- S-100 protein is expressed early in human fat cell differentiation, suggesting a role in regulating lipid storage and body fat formation.
- S-100 protein is a reliable biochemical marker for identifying differentiating human fat cells in embryonic subcutaneous tissue.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate immunocytochemically the presence of S-100 protein in subcutaneous fat cells during early human embryogenesis (6-12 weeks of gestation). We found that preadipocytes in the subcutaneous tissue which were at different stages of differentiation were positive for S-100 protein. The other cells in the embryonal subcutis (mesenchymal cells differentiating into fibroblasts and fibrocytes and endothelial cells) showed a negative reaction for S-100. Our results imply that the S-100 protein is expressed from the beginning of lipidogenesis and possibly acts as a factor regulating lipid storage and body fat formation. It can be used as a reliable biochemical marker of human fat cell differentiation and for distinguishing them from the mesenchymal and the fibroblast cells in the human embryonal subcutis.
