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Adipo-Clear: A Tissue Clearing Method for Three-Dimensional Imaging of Adipose Tissue
Published on: July 28, 2018
B lymphocytes in human subcutaneous adipose crown-like structures.
Marie E McDonnell1, Lisa M Ganley-Leal, Ankeeta Mehta
1Department of Medicine and Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Weight Management, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. marie.mcdonnell@bmc.org
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|March 8, 2012
Summary
B cells are found in human subcutaneous adipose tissue inflammation linked to obesity-related insulin resistance. Their presence and ratio to T cells may influence treatment, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic Disease Research
- Adipose Tissue Biology
Background:
- Crown-like structures (CLS) in subcutaneous adipose tissue, containing macrophages and T cells, are linked to obesity-related insulin resistance (OIR) severity.
- Rodent studies suggest B cells are involved in these inflammatory lesions, but their presence in human CLS remains undescribed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify B cells within human subcutaneous CLS (sCLS) in obese individuals.
- To determine if the presence of B cells in sCLS predicts insulin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Archived subcutaneous and omental fat samples from 32 obese subjects were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to identify B cells (CD19+) and T cells (CD3+) within sCLS and perivascular spaces.
- B cell presence, density, and B:T cell ratios were correlated with insulin resistance measures (HOMA) and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- B cells (CD19+) were identified within sCLS in 50% of subjects and were more numerous than T cells.
- No significant difference in HOMA scores was observed between subjects with or without B cells in sCLS.
- The B:T cell ratio correlated with metformin treatment after controlling for diabetes and HbA1c.
Conclusions:
- B cells are an integral component of inflammation within human subcutaneous adipose tissue in OIR.
- Further research into the role of B cells in OIR pathogenesis is warranted.
- Understanding B cell involvement may impact future treatment strategies for OIR.
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