Transdifferentiation of human muscle fibroblasts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Uncovering mechanisms underlying the transdifferentiation of human muscle fibroblasts into adipocytes
IRAS ID
145184
Contact name
Stephen D.R. Harridge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
There are numerous conditions where muscle loss occurs and “quality“ declines, with the accumulation of intramuscular fat and fibrosis impairing both contractile and metabolic function. This occurs particularly in the muscles of frail elderly people, as well as with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and a range of muscular diseases where fibro-fatty accumulation occurs. However, despite the prevalence the basic biological processes that influence these changes remain unclear. We have recently demonstrated that a population of cells resident within human skeletal muscle, called “fibroblasts” (which give rise to fibrosis), are also the cells that have the capability of giving rise to fat cells and fatty deposits. The work in this research project is targeted at uncovering the molecular mechanisms which drive the process of a fibroblast to become a fat cell. We specifically aim to identify the molecules that initiate the events that cause a fibroblast to change into a fat cell; to chart the events that underlie the waning of the fibroblast characteristics and the waxing of those events that produce a fat cell and determine if the fibroblasts are viable and give rise to fat cells in the body (in vivo). For this we will use a primary cell culture techniques using cells obtained from muscle biopsy samples taken from healthy individuals. We will also use a technique known as” xenotransplantation” to determine if human fibroblasts primed to become fat cells are capable of forming fat cells in a living system. This will be done by injecting the cells in to mouse.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0068
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion