"The preadipocyte factor" DLK1 marks adult mouse adipose tissue residing vascular cells that lack in vitro adipogenic differentiation potential.
Delta-like 1 (Dlk1) is expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and has frequently been referred to as "the" preadipocyte marker, yet the phenotype of DLK1(+) cells in adipose tissue remains undetermined. Herein, we demonstrate that DLK1(+) cells encompass around 1-2% of the adult mouse adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Unexpectedly, the DLK1(+)SVF population was enriched for cells expressing genes generally ascribed to the vascular lineage and did not possess any adipogenic differentiation potential in vitro. Instead, DLK1(+) cells comprised an immediate ability for cobblestone formation, generation of tube-like structures on matrigel, and uptake of Acetylated Low Density-Lipoprotein, all characteristics of endothelial cells. We therefore suggest that DLK1(+)SVF cells are of a vascular origin and not them-selves committed preadipocytes as assumed hitherto.
Andersen
Ditte Caroline
DC
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
Jensen
Line
L
Schrøder
Henrik Daa
HD
Jensen
Charlotte Harken
CH
D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C512925:Dlk1 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins