摘要:
Brown adipose tissue ("BAT") progenitor cells and methods for identifying BAT progenitor cells in a population of cells are provided. Methods are also provided for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into differentiated brown adipocytes, inducing expression or increased activity levels of BAT uncoupling protein-1 ("UCP1"), and for identifying agents capable of inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into brown adipocytes and/or inducing expression or increased activity levels of UCP1. Differentiated brown adipocytes and agents and methods for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells can be used for treatment of, or the making of medicaments for the treatment of, metabolic diseases or conditions in a patient such as obesity, overweight, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and the like. Differentiated brown adipocytes and agents and methods for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells can be used for prevention of hypothermia.
摘要:
This invention relates to brown adipose tissue (BAT) progenitor cells and methods for isolating BAT progenitor cells from skeletal muscle. BAT progenitor cell surface markers and medium and agents for inducing cell differentiation into brown adipocytes are also provided. In some embodiments, the BAT progenitor cell expresses a first cell surface marker associated with endothelial cells, the first cell surface marker being detectable in an antibody based assay using a first antibody. In addition, the BAT progenitor cell can be substantially free of a second cell surface marker associated with endothelial cells, the second cell surface marker being substantially undetectable in said antibody based assay using a second antibody. The BAT progenitor cell can also be substantially free of additional cell surface markers.