Differentiation and function of rat adipocyte precursor cells in primary culture

Precursor cells to adipocytes were purified from the epididymal fat pads of small rats and studied in primary culture. A culture system in which substrate and cofactors were not rate-limiting for complete adipocyte conversion was used by utilizing an agarose feeding-layer. Detachment of cells from the culture dish was prevented by addition of a viscous layer of culture medium, containing methyl cellulose. This system allowed quantitation and definite characterization of formed adipocytes, defined as cells accumulating a lipid droplet >20 micro m in diameter. The cells could be subcultured but then gradually lost their adipocyte conversion ability. Age of the donor depressed the adipocyte conversion which, however, never seemed to stop completely. Prostaglandin E(1) and F(2alpha) had no definite effect in the physiological concentration range while indomethachin possibly had a weak inhibitory effect. Insulin, heparin, and isobutylmethylxanthine increased adipocyte formation. Development of characteristic adipocyte functions with time was examined. Lipoprotein lipase activity was very low in the isolated precursor cells before culture, but developed in culture at confluence and was a thousand-fold higher within a few days. At this peak lipoprotein lipase activity was 50-fold higher than in mature adipocytes from the same donor animal. Triglyceride synthesis from glucose peaked in parallel but never reached the value of mature adipocytes and very little fatty acid was synthesized. Hormone-sensitive glycerol release developed at confluence and reached the level of activity of mature adipocytes. This study and previous work have indicated a role for the cyclase system in the development of adipocytes from precursor cells. Dibutyrylcyclic AMP caused an enhancement of lipoprotein lipase activity and adipocyte conversion. In suspension media, the nucleotide caused inhibition. These results are compatible with an effect of the nucleotide, not directly on lipoprotein lipase and cell determination, but via events taking place at confluence associated with cell to cell interactions. In comparison with previously described cells from an established cell line which undergo adipose conversion (3T3 cells), the cells described in the present work, like adipocytes, showed more metabolic activity in pathways for fatty acid incorporation from exogenous lipid sources (lipoprotein lipase activity) than from de novo synthesis. Furthermore, host-factors could be followed such as in the age- and site-dependence of adipocyte formation. Physiological stimuli such as insulin, lipid substrate, and heparin had effects on adipocyte formation. It was therefore concluded that this cell preparation has a potential of yielding information of physiological significance in studies of the regulation of adipocyte multiplication.-Björntorp, P., M. Karlsson, P. Pettersson, and G. Sypniewska. Differentiation and function of rat adipocyte precursor cells in primary culture.