Adipose cell apoptosis: death in the energy depot

Abstract

Apoptosis is critical for mammalian tissue homeostasis, and its disruption has been linked to a wide variety of disorders, including cancer, neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune disease and diabetes. This review will focus on recent investigations that have begun to address the potential role of apoptosis in adipose tissue growth. Evidence for apoptosis occurring in mature adipocytes has been obtained through the use of in vitro cell culture models as well as in vivo studies in rodents and humans. Preadipocytes, ®broblast-like adipocyte precursor cells, can also undergo apoptotic cell death. As they differentiate, preadipocytes acquire a relative resistance to apoptosis. The levels of the cell survival proteins Bcl-2 and neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) have been observed to increase during adipogenesis. Further research on the effect of apoptosis on adipose tissue cellularity should clarify its in¯uence on adipose tissue mass and distribution.

Protein Kinase C δ (PKCδ) Splice Variants Modulate Apoptosis Pathway in 3T3L1 Cells during Adipogenesis

“…This was demonstrated in 3T3L1 preadipocytes which goes through apoptosis as shown by DNA fragmentation, Hoescht staining, and TUNEL (7,8). Concomitantly, Bcl2 levels increased as the adipose cells differentiated into mature adipocytes (9 -11).…”

Lipodystrophy in HIV 1-infected patients: lessons for obesity research

“…115 This is probably due to the fact that biological pathways leading to adipocyte cell death and potential adipose tissue depletion are not expected to play a causative role in obesity, the disease inspiring most of the adipocyte biology research. However, it is known that apoptosis can occur in cell types that compose adipose tissue depots, including mature adipocytes.…”

Integrative physiology of human adipose tissue

“…48,49 The subject of adipocyte apoptosis has been reviewed previously in this journal and we will not cover it in more detail here. 50 …”