title: Growth and differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocytes in three-dimensional gels of native collagen.
abstract: Three-dimensional gels of native type I collagen have been used as a substrate for growth and differentiation in 3T3 adipocyte precursors. Such hydrated lattices can support a sustained cell growth leading to several 10-fold increases in cell number within 2 weeks. During this period, the cells condense the hydrated collagen lattice to a tissue-like structure one-fourth of the area of the initial gel. From Days 10 to 12, the cells progressively exhibit morphological characteristics of adipocytes and accumulate lipid droplets as evidenced by Oil Red O staining. Lipoprotein lipase activity appears very early; between Days 8 and 22 it sharply increases 15-fold and then remains stable at a very high level (about 30 nmol/min/10(6) cells). The emergence of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity is delayed; it becomes detectable at Day 15 and progressively increases up to 700 nmol/min/10(6) cells at Days 35-40. Thus, this adipose tissue equivalent appears to be a potential model for studying adipocyte function.
authors.affiliation: U 282 INSERM, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hilliou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pairault
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dominice
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Redziniak
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D003094:Collagen; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen