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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Expansion and Adipogenesis Induction of Adipocyte Progenitors from Perivascular Adipose Tissue Isolated by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting
Published on: June 30, 2017
Perivascular Adipocytes Store Norepinephrine by Vesicular Transport
Maleeha F Ahmad1, David Ferland1, Nadia Ayala-Lopez2
1From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.F.A., D.F., E.D., J.T., A.I., R.B., S.W.W.), Michigan State University, East Lansing.
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adipocytes store norepinephrine via vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT). This novel finding in PVAT may explain norepinephrine presence and inform studies on hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Adipose Tissue Research
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) possesses an adrenergic system capable of handling norepinephrine.
- The mechanism by which norepinephrine is protected and stored within PVAT remains unclear.
- Investigating the role of vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT) in PVAT adipocytes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if PVAT adipocytes can store norepinephrine.
- To investigate the involvement of VMAT in norepinephrine storage within PVAT.
- To explore the unique characteristics of PVAT adipocytes in amine storage.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for norepinephrine detection in PVAT.
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess VMAT mRNA expression.
- Immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize VMAT and norepinephrine localization.
- Functional assays using a fluorescent VMAT probe (Mini 202) in isolated adipocytes.
Main Results:
- Norepinephrine was detected in rat aortic, mesenteric artery, and mesenteric resistance vessel PVAT.
- VMAT1 and VMAT2 mRNA and proteins were expressed in mesenteric resistance vessel PVAT adipocytes.
- VMAT2 colocalized with norepinephrine in PVAT adipocyte cytoplasm.
- PVAT adipocytes demonstrated uptake of the VMAT probe, inhibited by VMAT blockers.
- Retroperitoneal adipocytes lacked VMAT expression, suggesting PVAT adipocyte specificity.
Conclusions:
- PVAT adipocytes possess a novel capacity to store amines through a VMAT-dependent mechanism.
- This VMAT-mediated storage highlights a unique function of PVAT adipocytes.
- Findings provide a basis for future research into norepinephrine's role in PVAT physiology and disease states like hypertension.
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