The mechanical properties of human adipose tissues and their relationships to the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix

Alkhouli, N., Mansfield, J., Green, E., Bell, James Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8371-9851, Knight, B., Liversedge, N., Tham, J. C., Welbourn, R., Shore, A. C., Kos, K. and Winlove, C. P. 2013. The mechanical properties of human adipose tissues and their relationships to the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism 305 (12) , E1427-E1435. 10.1152/ajpendo.00111.2013

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Adipose tissue (AT) expansion in obesity is characterized by cellular growth and continuous extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling with increased fibrillar collagen deposition. It is hypothesized that the matrix can inhibit cellular expansion and lipid storage. Therefore, it is important to fully characterize the ECM's biomechanical properties and its interactions with cells. In this study, we characterize and compare the mechanical properties of human subcutaneous and omental tissues, which have different physiological functions. AT was obtained from 44 subjects undergoing surgery. Force/extension and stress/relaxation data were obtained. The effects of osmotic challenge were measured to investigate the cellular contribution to tissue mechanics. Tissue structure and its response to tensile strain were determined using nonlinear microscopy. AT showed nonlinear stress/strain characteristics of up to a 30% strain. Comparing paired subcutaneous and omental samples (n = 19), the moduli were lower in subcutaneous: initial 1.6 ± 0.8 (means ± SD) and 2.9 ± 1.5 kPa (P = 0.001), final 11.7 ± 6.4 and 32 ± 15.6 kPa (P < 0.001), respectively. The energy dissipation density was lower in subcutaneous AT (n = 13): 0.1 ± 0.1 and 0.3 ± 0.2 kPa, respectively (P = 0.006). Stress/relaxation followed a two-exponential time course. When the incubation medium was exchanged for deionized water in specimens held at 30% strain, force decreased by 31%, and the final modulus increased significantly. Nonlinear microscopy revealed collagen and elastin networks in close proximity to adipocytes and a larger-scale network of larger fiber bundles. There was considerable microscale heterogeneity in the response to strain in both cells and matrix fibers. These results suggest that subcutaneous AT has greater capacity for expansion and recovery from mechanical deformation than omental AT.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Publisher:	American Physiological Society
ISSN:	0193-1849
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2022 09:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/82155

Citation Data

Cited 177 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item