Department of Natural Sciences

Adipocytes

Investigation of the Role of Differentiating Adipocytes in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Deaths of patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 are mainly caused by macrovascular diseases. Background for this is the fact, that the insulin resistance does not just cause metabolic disarrangements, but also affects the endothelium. The central point of this project is the investigation of interactions between differentiating adipocytes, considering the regulation of receptors, cytokines and macrophages.

The here investigated human mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiates i.e. into adipocytes. During the whole time period of the differentiation, key-proteins will be investigated to develop a complex profile. For this purpose, receptors, signaltransduction pathways and transcription factors pathways will be investigated. With regard of the pathogenesis, apoptosis assays are of interest.

Differing expression profiles of the differentiating adipocytes alone and in co-culture with macrophages, endothelial cells and β-cells shall enlighten the interactions of these cell types. Moreover, changes in the functional state of endothelial cells under the influence of adipocyte differentiation will be investigated. Particularly, parameters known to play a pathophysiological role in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes type 2 were investiagted.