Toward Efficient Beige Adipogenesis: Protocol Optimization Using Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. To advance research on BAT activation and elucidate the mechanisms underlying adipogenesis, it is crucial to develop a reliable in vitro model. This study aimed to optimize the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into beige adipocytes and to validate the protocol using primary human ADSCs obtained from eight donors. Protocol optimization was first performed with commercial ADSCs, testing more than 30 combinations of adipogenic conditions. Differentiation was assessed by microscopy, Oil Red O staining, and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Among the key adipogenic factors, rosiglitazone proved more effective than indomethacin. Extending the induction phase from 4 to 8 days and maintaining dexamethasone throughout the culture markedly enhanced differentiation efficiency. Serum concentration above 5% was inhibitory, while optimal conditions were identified as 5 μM rosiglitazone and 20 μg/mL insulin. The optimized protocol successfully induced beige adipogenesis in ADSCs from eight independent donors, though efficiency varied considerably which could be attributed to individual donor variability. These findings provide a robust in vitro model for studying beige fat biology and highlight the relevance of personalized approaches in metabolic research.