Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Haptoglobin deficiency determines changes in adipocyte size and adipogenesis
Olimpia Gamucci1, Simonetta Lisi, Gaia Scabia
1Department of Endocrinology and Kidney; University-Hospital of Pisa; Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Haptoglobin (Hp) is an inflammatory and adiposity marker, its expression during obesity being specifically induced in the white adipose tissue (WAT). We previously reported that when challenged with a high fat diet (HFD) Hp-/- mice are partially protected from the onset of insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis. The aim of the present study was to get further insights into Hp function in WAT. To this end, we performed histological and gene expression analysis of the Hp-/- WAT, both in standard and obesity conditions, and investigated how Hp deficiency impacts adipogenesis and WAT development. The average size and percentage of very large adipocytes were respectively smaller and reduced in HFD Hp-/- mice as compared with HFD WT. The expression of perilipin, HSL and angiogenesis related markers were increased in HFD Hp-/- mice. Lean adult Hp-/- showed significantly larger adipocytes and lower subcutaneous WAT expression of aP2 and LPL with respect to WT. Hp-/- young mice (P30) were characterized by larger adipocyte size and lower expression of adipocyte and adipogenesis markers. Comparison of adipocyte size distribution between young and adult mice revealed attenuated changes in Hp-/- mice compared with WT. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Hp-/- mice were less capable of accumulating triglycerides and exhibited lower expression of PPARγ, aP2, FAS, LPL and Leptin. In conclusion, Hp deficiency tends to blunt the effect of age and diet on the size of adipocytes, which show less susceptibility to develop hypertrophy during obesity and a reduced adipogenic/hyperplastic potential during youth. In addition, Hp deficiency impacts negatively on adipogenesis.
More Related Videos
10:28Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue
Published on: July 17, 2018
04:46Differentiation and Imaging of Brown Adipocytes from the Stromal Vascular Fraction of Interscapular Adipose Tissue from Newborn Mice
Published on: February 3, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors
Age stands as a key determinant in protein-drug binding. Neonates, characterized by low albumin content, experience heightened concentrations of unbound drugs such as phenytoin and...
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Protein-Related Factors
The physicochemical properties of a drug play a significant role in its ability to bind to proteins. Lipophilic drugs, which dissolve in fats, oils, and lipids, can be bound by...
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Hypodermis
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy