Collagenase digests from subcutaneous fat tissue of new born rats were cultured on different types of collagen gel containing 50% type I collagen, on fibronectin (Fn) or on laminin (Lm). On day 6, 17% of cells on a plastic substratum differentiated and had multilocular or unilocular cytoplasmic lipid droplets (CLDs). Cells on each type of collagen and on Lm had more CLDs than those on a plastic substratum.The extent of lipogenesis showed the following decreasing order: cells on Lm (80%), on type IV + I collagen (70%), on type I collagen (52%), on type III+I collagen (36%), on type II+I collagen (32%).On day 14, most cells on Lm became unilocular fat cells.Cells on Fn showed delipidation and showed decreased reactivity to insulin stimulation. Immunohistochemically differentiated fat cells were positively stained with antilaminin or anti-type IV collagen antibodies. These results provide evidence that Lm and type IV collagen promote fat cell differentiation, whereas Fn facilitates dedifferentiation into the fibroblast-like fat cell.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.