Cationic polymer effect on brown adipogenic induction of dedifferentiated fat cells

Obesity and its associated comorbidities place a substantial burden on public health. Given the considerable potential of brown adipose tissue in addressing metabolic disorders that contribute to dysregulation of the body's energy balance, this area is an intriguing avenue for research. This study aimed to assess the impact of various polymers, including collagen type I, fibronectin, laminin, gelatin, gellan gum, and poly-l-lysine (PLL), on the in vitro brown adipogenic differentiation of dedifferentiated fat cells within a fibrin gel matrix. The findings, obtained through RT-qPCR, immunofluorescent imaging, ELISA assay, and mitochondria assessment, revealed that PLL exhibited a significant browning-inducing effect. Compared to fibrin-only brown-like drops after two weeks of incubation in brown adipogenic medium, PLL showed 6 (±3) times higher UCP1 gene expression, 5 (±2) times higher UCP1 concentration by ELISA assay, and 2 (±1) times higher mitochondrial content. This effect can be attributed to PLL's electrostatic properties, which potentially facilitate the cellular uptake of crucial brown adipogenic inducers such as the thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), and insulin from the induction medium.