Human adipose tissue endothelial cells promote preadipocyte proliferation

Adipogenesis is preceded by development of a microvascular network, and optimal functioning of adipose tissue as an energy store and endocrine organ is dependent on extensive vascularization. We have examined the role of endothelial cell-derived factors that influence the proliferation of human preadipocytes. Microvascular endothelial cells and preadipocytes were isolated from human omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies by use of a developed procedure of collagenase digest, immunoselection, and differential trypsinization. Conditioned medium from microvascular endothelial cell cultures promoted the proliferation of preadipocytes (P<0.001) and (to a lesser extent) other cell types. No depot-specific differences in mitogenic capacity of microvascular endothelial cell medium or of preadipocyte response were observed. These results indicate that adipose tissue endothelial cells secrete soluble adipogenic factor(s).