Adipose tissue collagen VI in obesity.

Objectives: Basic science studies show that the extracellular matrix of adipose tissue, mainly represented by collagen VI, is dysfunctional in obesity and contributes to the development of the metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized in humans that increased collagen VI alpha3-subunit (COL6A3) mRNA is associated with adipose tissue macrophage chemotaxis and inflammation and that weight gain is accompanied by changes in the expression of COL6A3.

Research Design And Methods: Adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from a cross-sectional study (n = 109), an overfeeding study (n = 9), and a pioglitazone treatment study (n = 14).