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Updated: Aug 10, 2025
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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
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Advanced Glycation End Products Effects on Adipocyte Niche Stiffness and Cell Signaling
Roza Izgilov1, Alex Naftaly1, Dafna Benayahu1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 11, 2023
Summary
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stiffen the cellular environment and alter adipocyte function, impairing insulin signaling crucial for managing Type II diabetes (T2D). This research reveals how AGEs disrupt cell mechanics and signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Metabolic Disease Research
Background:
- Hyperglycemia in adipose tissue metabolism is linked to Type II diabetes (T2D).
- Understanding adipocyte dysfunction under hyperglycemic conditions is critical for T2D research.
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in diabetic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of AGEs on adipocyte function and cellular mechanics.
- To elucidate the role of AGEs in altering cell signaling and adipogenesis.
- To explore the relationship between AGEs, cell stiffness, and impaired insulin signaling.
Main Methods:
- Adipocyte cell culture exposed to glycation and intermediate carbonyl products to form AGEs.
- Spectroscopic analysis (8-ANS, Nile red) to quantify protein structure changes.
- Imaging and qPCR to assess adipocyte differentiation, gene expression, and cellular motility.
- Analysis of plasma membrane (PM) dynamics (e.g., CTxB binding, NP endocytosis) and AKT phosphorylation.
Main Results:
- AGEs increased the stiffness of adipocytes and their surrounding niche, altering rheological properties.
- AGE formation correlated with changes in protein structure, reduced cellular motility, and impaired membrane dynamics.
- Adipogenesis was significantly reduced, evidenced by decreased adipogenic gene expression and impaired insulin signaling (reduced AKT phosphorylation).
Conclusions:
- AGEs disrupt adipocyte function by altering cell niche stiffness and plasma membrane dynamics.
- These physical and biochemical changes lead to impaired signal transduction and reduced adipogenesis.
- The study provides a novel mechanism linking AGEs to impaired insulin signaling in the context of T2D.
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