Advanced glycation end-products regulate extracellular matrix-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk in diabetes.

The adipose tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates adipocyte cellular metabolism and is altered in obesity and type 2 diabetes, but mechanisms underlying ECM-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk are poorly defined. Advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation is increased in diabetes. AGE alter tissue function via direct effects on ECM and by binding scavenger receptors on multiple cell types and signaling through Rho GTPases.

A Human 3D Extracellular Matrix-Adipocyte Culture Model for Studying Matrix-Cell Metabolic Crosstalk.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a central role in regulating tissue homeostasis, engaging in crosstalk with cells and regulating multiple aspects of cellular function. The ECM plays a particularly important role in adipose tissue function in obesity, and alterations in adipose tissue ECM deposition and composition are associated with metabolic disease in mice and humans. Tractable in vitro models that permit dissection of the roles of the ECM and cells in contributing to global tissue phenotype are sparse.