Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2025
Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
Published on: June 23, 2013
Converted Macrophage Polarization and Expression of COL6α3-Early Predictors of Remodeling Processes in Adipose Tissue
Robert Mujkić1, Darija Šnajder Mujkić2,3, Karla Rožac1
1Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Pathological Anatomy and Pathological Histology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena 21, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
Insights
Childhood obesity triggers extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in adipose tissue, increasing collagen VI alpha 3 (COL6α3) gene expression and macrophage activation. This compromises ECM integrity, potentially driving inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Adipose Tissue Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a persistent public health issue with long-term quality of life impacts.
- Understanding adipose tissue remodeling mechanisms in pediatric obesity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling mechanisms in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue of male children.
- To correlate these mechanisms with body weight status.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of SAT and VAT from 75 male subjects during elective abdominal surgery.
- Histological staining (H&E), immunohistochemistry (CD163+ cells, crown-like structures - CLSs), and RT-qPCR for COL6α3 gene expression.
- Subjects categorized into overweight/obese and normal weight groups based on Z-score.
Main Results:
- Obese/overweight children exhibited increased CD163+ cells and CLSs in both VAT and SAT.
- Higher COL6α3 gene expression was observed in both adipose tissue compartments of overweight/obese children.
- Correlation between increased CD163+ cells, CLSs, and COL6α3 expression with higher body weight.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity is associated with elevated COL6α3 gene expression and activated macrophage polarization.
- These changes compromise ECM structural integrity in adipose tissue.
- This remodeling may contribute to the development of inflammatory processes in pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Overweight and obesity in early childhood is a serious public health problem as in most cases it persists into adulthood and significantly affects the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms that trigger extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue of male children in relation to their body weight. Methods: During elective abdominal surgery, SAT and VAT were acquired from 75 male subjects undergoing hernia repair (inguinal herniorrhaphy by Ferguson) or orchidopexy. Based on their Z-score, subjects were separated into two groups. The morphometry of both adipose tissue compartments was assessed after hematoxylin and eosin histological staining, immunohistochemistry to quantify CD163+ cells and the number of crown-like structures (CLSs), and real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess the relative gene expression for collagen VI subtype alpha 3 (COL6α3). Results: Obese and overweight individuals were found to have higher numbers of CD163+ cells, greater numbers of CLSs in VAT and SAT, and a higher expression of COL6α3 in both compartments. Conclusions: Obesity in childhood may lead to increased COL6α3 gene expression and promote the activation of macrophage polarization, compromise the structural integrity of the ECM, and thus influence the development of inflammatory processes.
More Related Videos
07:46Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation
Published on: April 3, 2017
07:45Metabolic Characterization of Polarized M1 and M2 Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: November 28, 2015