title: 3T3-L1 cells and perivascular adipocytes are not equivalent in amine transporter expression.
abstract: Rat perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) stores, takes up, and releases norepinephrine (NE; Ayala-Lopez et al. (2014) Pharmacol Res Perspect 2, e00041). We hypothesized that 3T3-L1 adipocytes would exhibit similar behaviors and, thus, could serve as a model for PVAT adipocytes. However, basal levels of NE were not detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. While incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with exogenous NE increased their cellular NE content, the mRNA expression of several NE transporters [e.g., norepinephrine transporter (NET)] were not detected in these cells. Similarly, we observed expression of the vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by qRT-PCR and immunostaining, but stimulation of the cells with tyramine (100 μm) did not cause a significant release of NE. These studies support that 3T3-L1 adipocytes are not an adequate model of perivascular adipocytes for studying NE handling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ayala-Lopez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Maleeha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie W
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9653-6357
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014439:Tyramine / Q000378:metabolism; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493450:Slc18a1 protein, mouse; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins; D009638:Norepinephrine; D014439:Tyramine
keywords: 3T3-L1 adipocytes; catecholamines; obesity; perivascular adipose tissue