Histochemical and ultrastructural criteria for early differentiation of human subcutaneous adipocytes.
The histochemical, enzyme-histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the adipocyte precursors in human embryos at 6-12 weeks of gestation were studied. Some consequent stages in the histogenesis and differentiation of the fat cells were maintained according to: 1/number and size of the lipid droplets; 2/position of the nucleus. The cells become rounder, accumulate lipid inclusions, acquire eccentric nucleus, gradually gather in clusters. No typical unilocular adipocytes were seen at this stage of fetal development. The enzyme-histochemistry disclosed that the reactions for glucose-6P-dehydrogenase, NADH2 diaphorase and especially lipoprotein lipase were highly expressed. Ultrastructurally the adipocyte precursors were with a great amount of organelles/mitochondria of typical sight, well developed rough and smooth endoplasmatic reticulum/, lipid droplets and glycogen which express their high functional activity. This study could provide criteria for understanding the processes of lipidogenesis and differentiation.
Atanassova
P
P
Department of Histology and Embryology, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase