Zfp423 expression identifies committed preadipocytes and localizes to adipose endothelial and perivascular cells.
Progress has been made in elucidating the cell-surface phenotype of primary adipose progenitors; however, specific functional markers and distinct molecular signatures of fat depot-specific preadipocytes have remained elusive. In this study, we label committed murine adipose progenitors through expression of GFP from the genetic locus for Zfp423, a gene controlling preadipocyte determination. Selection of GFP-expressing fibroblasts from either subcutaneous or visceral adipose-derived stromal vascular cultures isolates stably committed preadipocytes that undergo robust adipogenesis. Immunohistochemistry for Zfp423-driven GFP expression in vivo confirms a perivascular origin of preadipocytes within both white and brown adipose tissues. Interestingly, a small subset of capillary endothelial cells within white and brown fat also express this marker, suggesting a contribution of specialized endothelial cells to the adipose lineage. Zfp423(GFP) mice represent a simple tool for the specific localization and isolation of molecularly defined preadipocytes from distinct adipose tissue depots.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Rana K
RK
Gupta
Rina J
RJ
Mepani
Sandra
S
Kleiner
James C
JC
Lo
Melin J
MJ
Khandekar
Paul
P
Cohen
Andrea
A
Frontini
Diti Chatterjee
DC
Bhowmick
Li
L
Ye
Saverio
S
Cinti
Bruce M
BM
Spiegelman
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020286:Pericytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C484557:Ebfaz protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins