Abstract
BackgroundThe wound healing properties of the human omentum are well known and have extensively been exploited clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. We hypothesize that the omentum tissue promotes wound healing via modulation of anti-inflammatory pathways, and because the omentum is rich in adipocytes, the adipocytes may modulate the anti-inflammatory response. Factors released by human omentum may affect healing, inflammation and immune defense.MethodologySix human omentum tissues (non obese, free from malignancy, and any other systemic disorder) were obtained during diagnostic laparoscopies having a negative outcome. Healthy oral mucosa (obtained from routine oral biopsies) was used as control. Cultured adipocytes derived from human omentum were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1–50 ng/mL) for 12–72 hours to identify the non-cytotoxic doses. Levels of expression (mRNA and protein) were carried out for genes associated with pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses and antibacterial/antimicrobial activity using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and cell-based ELISA assays.ResultsThe study shows significant higher levels of expression (mRNA and protein) of several specific cytokines, and antibacterial peptides in the omentum tissues when compared to oral sub-mucosal tissues. In the validation studies, primary cultures of adipocytes, derived from human omentum were exposed to LPS (5 and 10 ng/mL) for 24 and 48 h. The altered expressions were more pronounced in cultured adipocytes cells when exposed to LPS as compared to the omentum tissue.Conclusions/SignificancePerhaps, this is the first report that provides evidence of expressional changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and antibacterial peptides in the normal human omentum tissue as well as adipocytes cultured from this tissue. The study provides new insights on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of healing and defense by the omentum, and suggests the potential applicability of cultured adipocytes derived from the omentum for future therapeutic applications.
Highlights
The human omentum has been classically regarded as the abdominal policeman [1] with instances of its reaching and plugging inflamed intra-abdominal organs [2]
To determine the non-cytotoxic doses of LPS exposure to cultured adipocyte cells derived from human omentum tissues, we carried out MTT assay
These results suggest that LPS exposure of #20 ng/ml fail to produce any significant toxicity to these adipocyte cells derived from human omentum tissues, and can be used without the concerns of LPSinduced effects
Summary
The human omentum has been classically regarded as the abdominal policeman [1] with instances of its reaching and plugging inflamed intra-abdominal organs [2]. Recent clinical evidence has suggested spontaneous sealing of intestinal perforation in premature neonates by the omentum alone, where just aspiration was adequate [2]. The omentum milky spots are conglomerates of macrophages responsible for its local immune response and anti-inflammatory properties [4,6]. The non adipose cells of the stromal vascular fraction, preadipocytes, and macrophages are thought to secrete cytokines [7,8,9]. Even though the role of omentum tissue in wound healing and injury repair is well established, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these properties remain unclear. The wound healing properties of the human omentum are well known and have extensively been exploited clinically. Factors released by human omentum may affect healing, inflammation and immune defense
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