Exploring Adipose Tissue Structure by Methylsalicylate Clearing and 3D Imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Cell Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Obesity is a global health crisis linked to cardiovascular, diabetes, and liver diseases.
• Adipose tissue (AT) expansion is crucial for energy homeostasis; its failure contributes to obesity-related pathologies.
• Understanding AT structural remodeling is key to addressing obesity's clinical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a straightforward and rapid method for 3D imaging of white adipose tissue (AT) morphology.
• To enable detailed visualization of AT structure and cellular components using fluorescent imaging.

Main Methods:

• A simple, fast, and optimized AT clearing technique for 3D fluorescent imaging.
• The method is readily performable in standard laboratories with basic equipment.
• Utilizes readily available chemical compounds for tissue clearing and staining.

Main Results:

• The method allows for high-resolution 3D visualization of white adipose tissue structure.
• Specific markers can visualize adipocytes, neuronal and vascular networks, and immune cell distribution within AT.
• Successfully applied to both mouse and human white adipose tissue samples.

Conclusions:

• This optimized clearing method provides a valuable tool for studying AT morphology in 3D.
• Facilitates research into the structural basis of AT expansion failure in obesity.
• Aims to enhance understanding of obesity-associated pathologies through detailed AT structural analysis.