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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Characterization of Immune Cells in Human Adipose Tissue by Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: March 6, 2018
A reliable, reproducible flow cytometry protocol for immune cell quantification in human adipose tissue
Kerri Z Delaney1, Vi Dam1, Jessica Murphy1
1Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada; Metabolism, Obesity, Nutrition Lab, PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada; Centre de Recherche - Axe Maladies Chroniques, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux Du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Hôpital Du Sacré-Coeur de Montreal, 5400 Boul Gouin O, Montréal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada.
Accurately quantifying immune cells in adipose tissue is crucial for metabolic disease research. This study presents a reproducible flow cytometry protocol to overcome challenges with oily tissue and cell viability, enabling reliable immune cell analysis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic disease research
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- Immune cell populations in adipose tissue are key to understanding metabolic disease.
- Flow cytometry is the standard for immune cell quantification.
- Analyzing adipose tissue immune cells is challenging due to tissue oiliness and rapid cell degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reproducible flow cytometry protocol for immune cell quantification in human adipose tissue.
- To address the technical challenges associated with analyzing immune cells in adipose tissue.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel flow cytometry protocol.
- Optimization for handling oily adipose tissue samples.
- Inclusion of methods to preserve immune cell viability during processing.
Main Results:
- The presented protocol ensures high reproducibility in immune cell quantification.
- The method effectively overcomes the challenges of adipose tissue complexity and cell viability.
- Accurate identification and quantification of immune cell subsets are achieved.
Conclusions:
- This optimized flow cytometry protocol provides a reliable method for immune cell analysis in human adipose tissue.
- The protocol facilitates deeper understanding of immune cell roles in metabolic health and disease.
- It offers a robust solution for researchers studying adipose tissue immunology.
