In vitro models of human adipose tissue may serve as beneficial alternatives to animal models to study basic biological processes, identify new drug targets, and as soft tissue implants. With this approach, we aimed to evaluate adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) and mature adipocytes (MA) comparatively for the application in the in vitro setup of adipose tissue constructs to imitate native adipose tissue physiology. We used human primary MAs and human ASCs, differentiated for 14 days, and encapsulated them in collagen type I hydrogels to build up a three-dimensional (3D) adipose tissue model. The maintenance of the models was analyzed after seven days based on a viability staining. Further, the expression of the adipocyte specific protein perilipin A and the release of leptin and glycerol were evaluated. Gene transcription profiles of models based on dASCs and MAs were analyzed with regard to native adipose tissue. Compared to MAs, dASCs showed an immature differentiation state. Further, gene transcription of MAs suggests a behavior closer to native tissue in terms of angiogenesis, which supports MAs as preferred cell type. In contrast to native adipose tissue, genes of de novo lipogenesis and tissue remodeling were upregulated in the in vitro attempts.

人脂肪组织的体外模型可以作为动物模型的有益替代品，以研究基本的生物学过程，确定新的药物靶标并作为软组织植入物。通过这种方法，我们旨在比较脂肪来源的干细胞（ASC）和成熟的脂肪细胞（MA）在体外的应用建立脂肪组织构建体以模仿天然脂肪组织生理。我们使用人类原代MA和人类ASC，进行了14天的分化，然后将它们封装在I型胶原水凝胶中，以建立三维（3D）脂肪组织模型。在7天后根据生存力染色分析模型的维护情况。此外，评估了脂肪细胞特异性蛋白perilipin A的表达以及瘦素和甘油的释放。对于天然脂肪组织，分析了基于dASCs和MAs的模型的基因转录谱。与MAs相比，dASCs处于未成熟分化状态。此外，MA的基因转录表明就血管生成而言，其行为更接近于天然组织，这支持MA作为优选的细胞类型。与天然脂肪组织相反，在体外尝试中，新生脂肪形成和组织重塑被上调。