Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(10): 728-731
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-826023
Short Communication
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Thy-1 Expression during 3T3-L1 Adipogenesis

A.  Gagnon1 , J.  Chaar1 , A.  Sorisky1
  • 1Ottawa Health Research Institute · University of Ottawa · Ottawa · Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 January 2004

Accepted after revision 26 April 2004

Publication Date:
03 November 2004 (online)

Introduction

Thy-1 (also known as CD90) is a small glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily [1]. It is localized to lipid raft microdomains within the plasma membrane by virtue of a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol linkage. In mice, Thy-1 is predominantly expressed in T cells, thymocytes, neurons and bone marrow-derived stem cells [1] [2]. Although much is known about the structural properties of the Thy-1 molecule, very little is known about its function. Mice null for Thy-1 have only a subtle phenotype, including a neuronal defect in long-term potentiation, as well as enhanced T cell antigen receptor function [3] [4].

The human Thy-1 molecule has been identified as an inflammation-dependent adhesion molecule in endothelial cells, where it mediates interactions with monocytes, granulocytes, and melanoma cells [5] [6]. A role in adhesion was also suggested in studies using murine thymoma cells, in which they were reported to bind astrocytes in a Thy-1-dependent manner [7]. Thy-1 has been detected in human ovarian cells, and functional disruption of Thy-1 expression was noted in human ovarian cancer [8].

Recently, Thy-1 has been implicated in the adipogenic response of orbital fibroblasts. Approximately 50 % of these cells express Thy-1, so orbital fibroblasts are characterized as Thy-1(+) or Thy-1(-); this classification correlates with differences in cellular processes such as prostaglandin metabolism and glycosaminoglycan production [9]. Pathological expansion of the retroorbital contents occurs in Graves' ophthalmopathy due to excessive production of hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans, extraocular muscle hypertrophy, and/or adipose tissue accumulation [10]. A sub-population of orbital fibroblasts is actually preadipocytes, and can differentiate into adipocytes in primary culture when cued appropriately [11] [12]. Analysis of Thy-1 protein expression reveals that differentiated orbital adipocytes are all Thy-1(-), suggesting that the Thy-1(-) orbital fibroblasts are the actual preadipocytes [12]. When orbital fibroblasts are sorted by magnetic bead selection for Thy-1 surface display and then placed in culture, only Thy-1(-) cells acquire lipid droplets [13].

Since the orbital preadipocyte Thy-1 data may only be specific to this retroorbital depot, we have examined the relationship between Thy-1 expression in an established and more generalized model of adipogenesis - the murine 3T3-L1 adipocyte.

References

  • 1 Killeen N. .  Curr Biol. 1997;  7 R774-R777
  • 2 Okumoto K, Saito T, Hattori E, Ito J-I, Adachi T, Takeda T. et al . .  Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003;  304 691-695
  • 3 Nosten-Bertrand M, Errington M L, Murphy K P, Tokugawa Y, Barboni E, Kozlova E. et al . .  Nature. 1996;  379 826-829
  • 4 Hueber A O, Bernard A M, Battari C LE, Marguet D, Massoi P, Foa C. et al . .  Curr Biol. 1997;  7 705-708
  • 5 Saalbach A, Haustein U F, Anderegg U. .  J Invest Dermatol. 2000;  115 882-888
  • 6 Saalbach A, Hildebrandt G, Haustein U F, Anderegg U. .  Microvasc Res. 2002;  64 86-93
  • 7 Leyton L, Schneider P, Labra C V, Ruegg C, Hetz C A, Quest A FG. et al . .  Curr Biol. 2001;  11 1028-1038
  • 8 Abeysinghe H R, Cao Q, Xu J, Pollock S, Veyberman Y, Guckert N L. et al . .  Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2003;  143 125-132
  • 9 Koumas L, Smith T J, Phipps R P. .  Eur J Immunol. 2002;  32 477-485
  • 10 Prabhakar B S, Bahn R S, Smith T J. .  Endo Rev. 2003;  24 802-835
  • 11 Sorisky A, Pardasani D, Gagnon A M, Smith T J. .  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996;  81 3428-3431
  • 12 Smith T J, Koumas L, Gagnon A, Bell A, Sempowski G D, Phipps R P. et al . .  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;  87 385-392
  • 13 Koumas L, Smith T J, Feldon S, Blumberg N, Phipps R P. .  Am J Pathol. 2003;  163 1291-1300
  • 14 Rubin C S, Hirsch A, Fung C, Rosen O M. .  J Biol Chem. 1978;  253 7570-7578
  • 15 Fasshauer M, Klein J, Lossner U, Pashcke R. .  Horm Metab Res. 2003;  35 147-152
  • 16 Chomczynski P, Sacchi N. .  Anal Biochem. 1987;  177 156-159
  • 17 Frohnert B I, Hui T Y, Bernlohr D A. .  J Biol Chem. 1999;  274 3970-3977
  • 18 Tontonoz P, Hu E, Spiegelman B M. .  Cell. 1994;  79 1147-1156
  • 19 Entenmann G, Hauner H. .  Am J Physiol. 1996;  270 C1011-C1016
  • 20 Hauner H, Skurk T, Wabitsch M. .  Methods Mol Biol. 2001;  155 239-247
  • 21 Henniker A J. .  J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2001;  15 392-393
  • 22 Cornelius P, MacDougald O A, Lane M D. .  Ann Rev Nutr. 1994;  14 99-129
  • 23 Garces C, Ruiz-Hidalgo M J, Font de Mora J, Park C, Miele L, Goldstein J. et al . .  J Biol Chem. 1997;  272 29 729-29 734

Dr. A. Sorisky

Ottawa Health Research Institute

725 Parkdale Avenue · Ottawa ON K1Y 4E9 · Canada

Phone: 613-798-5555#17572

Fax: 613-761-5036

Email: asorisky@ohri.ca

    >