Human Adipose Tissue and Disease Models Using Adipose Tissue
                     Human 
Adipose Tissue 
and Disease 
Models Using 
AUndlocikpinog sInesig Thtsi sinstou e
Disease Mechanisms and 
Applications in Toxicology
www.kosheeka.co
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Introduction to Human 
A•dDiepfionitsioen : TSpiescsiaulizeed connective 
tissue storing energy as fat.
• Types: White, brown, and beige 
adipose tissues.
• Key Functions:
⚬ Energy storage
⚬ Endocrine functions (e.g., 
leptin, adiponectin secretion) Source image :-
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Three-types-of-adipocytes-The-morphological-
⚬ Insulation and cushioning differences-between-the-three-types-of_fig2_324476714
organs
Importance of Adipose 
Tissue in Research
• Source of primary cells: Adipocytes, 
preadipocytes, and stromal vascular 
fractions (SVFs).
• Accessibility and abundance: Easily 
obtained through liposuction or 
biopsy.
• Versatility in applications: Studies of 
Source image : - https://www.invitra.com/en/carboxytherapy-for-stretch-
metabolic disorders, inflammation, marks/cells/
and tissue engineering.
Adipose Tissue as a 
D•iRseeleavasncee  tMo cohrdoneic ldiseases:
⚬ Obesity and metabolic syndromes
⚬ Diabetes (insulin resistance studies)
⚬ Cardiovascular diseases
• Applications in inflammation and 
immune system dysregulation research
image Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10561-021-09905-z/figures/2
Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem 
Cells (ADSCs)
• Characteristics:
⚬ Multipotent, capable of 
differentiating into adipocytes, 
osteoblasts, chondrocytes, etc.
• Use in regenerative medicine:
⚬ Wound healing
⚬ Bone and cartilage repair
⚬ Anti-aging therapies
Image Source:- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pathological-adipose-tissue-
endocrine-signals-Adipose-tissue-synthesizes-and-delivery-a_fig2_355765117
Advances in Adipose Tissue 
DParit I• Osrgeana-ons-Cehi pM Tecohndoloegyl:s
⚬ Microfluidic platforms that simulate the structure and function of human adipose tissue.
⚬ Allows precise control of the microenvironment, enabling the study of adipose tissue interactions with 
other organ systems like the liver (liver-adipose co-culture chips).
⚬ Useful in studying dynamic processes like lipid metabolism, drug response, and inflammation.
Part II
• 3D Bioprinting and Tissue Engineering:
⚬ Using adipose-derived cells to create 3D tissue constructs for in vitro modeling.
⚬ Enables the development of adipose tissue analogs with physiological properties, such as vascularization 
and ECM deposition.
⚬ Applications include studying fibrosis, insulin resistance, and tissue regeneration.
Part III
• Co-culture Models:
⚬ Integration of adipocytes with immune cells, endothelial cells, or cancer cells to study cross-talk.
• Examples:
⚬ Adipocyte-macrophage interactions in chronic inflammation and obesity.
⚬ Adipocyte-cancer cell interactions in tumor microenvironments.
⚬ Advances understanding of complex systems like inflammation-driven insulin resistance or tumor growth.
Applications in Toxicology and 
PPahrt aI rmacology
• Drug Screening:
⚬ Adipose tissue models are widely used to evaluate drug effects on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and 
inflammation.
⚬ Enables identification of off-target effects, such as adipotoxicity or altered endocrine signaling.
⚬ Particularly important for metabolic drugs like anti-diabetics and anti-obesity medications.
Part II
• Environmental Toxicants:
⚬ Adipose tissue acts as a depot for lipophilic toxicants (e.g., pesticides, dioxins).
⚬ Models are used to study the long-term storage and release of toxicants, along with their 
effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation.
⚬ Helps assess the impact of environmental pollution on metabolic health.
Part III
• Endocrine Disruptors:
⚬ Adipose tissue models enable studying compounds that interfere with hormonal pathways 
(e.g., BPA, phthalates).
⚬ Focus on evaluating their effects on adipocyte differentiation, insulin signaling, and lipid 
storage.
⚬ Critical for understanding links between environmental exposures and diseases like obesity or 
diabetes.
Challenges and 
L•imHeitearotgieonneisty in adipose tissue sources.
• Maintaining physiological relevance in 
vitro.
• Long-term culture viability.
• Cost and scalability for large-scale 
applications.
Conclusion and Call to 
A•cAtdiipoonse tissue’s is playing a tremendous role in disease 
modeling and translational applications.
• Call for interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome 
challenges.
• Let us harness the untapped potential of human adipose 
tissue to revolutionize biomedical research.
Contact us
www.kosheeka.com +91-9654321400
[email protected] A-102, Sector-5 Noida-
201301, India