Synthesis of collagen in ob 17 preadipocyte cell line

Abstract

This chapter describes the isolation of cell lines from the adipocyte fraction of epididymal fat pads of C57 BL/6J genetically obese and nonobese mice. Cells of these fibroblast-like established lines are able to differentiate into adipose-like cells, having both morphological and biochemical properties characteristic of adipocytes. Fibroblast-like cells of established cell lines and cell strains, which convert into adipocyte-like cells in culture, have provided unique opportunities for studying the process of adipose conversion. Some of the advantages of this approach are (1) the ease of conducting long-term experiments in vitro, because the viability of adipocytes isolated from adipose tissue does not exceed a few hours, and to do so with no interference of other cell types as the case in explants of adipose tissue; (2) the possibility to control the cell environment and show the direct effects of growth factors and hormones; and (3) the possibility to study morphological and biochemical events occurring during adipose conversion at both cellular and molecular levels.