Attenuated adiposopathy in perivascular adipose tissue compared with subcutaneous human adipose tissue

Abstract

Background: We hypothesized that human perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues hold distinct phenotypic signatures. We also evaluated the impact of clinical parameters on the adipose phenotype. Our overall goal is to understand the determinants of adipose biology so that this tissue can be manipulated therapeutically to lessen peripheral vascular disease.

Methods: Perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from patients undergoing lower-extremity amputation (n = 27) and protein assayed for proinflammatory mediators (ie, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, leptin, tumor necrosis factor α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and resistin), atheroprotective adiponectin, and the fibrinolysis inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Results: Leptin (2.7-fold, P = .015), TNF-α (2.2-fold, P = .013), MCP-1 (1.5-fold, P = .047), and adiponectin (1.8-fold, P = .004) were more abundant in subcutaneous vs perivascular adipose tissue. Age positively correlated with perivascular adipose tissue PAI-1 expression (β = .64, P = .042), and hyperlipidemia negatively correlated with perivascular adiponectin (β = -1.18, P = .039).

Conclusions: Human perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues hold distinct phenotypic signatures. In amputation patients, the subcutaneous adipose tissue proinflammatory phenotype was relatively attenuated in perivascular adipose tissue.

Keywords: Adipokine; Adipose; Perivascular.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Representative histology from Masson’s trichrome stained sections of perivascular (A) and subcutaneous (B) adipose tissues. Scale bar = 200 μm. Both show scattered fat necrosis and minimal chronic inflammation. (C) Paired comparisons of mediator protein levels between subcutaneous and perivascular adipose tissue compartments.