Human SGBS preadipocytes – an unique tool for studies of human adipocyte biology

Objectives: Studies on human adipocytes have been challenging due to technical difficulties, limited supply of cells and to some extent the variability in quality of human adipose tissue specimens. We have established a human preadipocytes cell strain (SGBS) which provides an unique and useful tool for studies of human adipocyte biology. Methods: Cells were initially derived from the stromal cells fraction of subcutaneous adipose tissue of a diseased infant with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) and characterized intensively. Results: SGBS cells are neither transformed nor immortalised and have been tested in a panel of different assays. Studies using adipogenic differentiation, glucose uptake, de novo lipogenesis, lipolysis, apoptosis, transient and stable transfections have been performed. The cells are efficiently differentiated in the presence of PPARgamma agonists and in the absence of serum and albumin. During the differentiation process SGBS cells develop a gene expression pattern similar to that found in differentiating human preadipocytes. In mature SGBS adipocytes insulin stimulation induces glucose uptake (5–10 fold; EC50˜100pM) and a strong antilipolytic effect (IC50˜15pM). Mature SGBS adipocytes secrete leptin, adiponectin and IGF-1. Conclusion: The human SGBS preadipocyte cell strain offers an excellent new tool for studies of human adipocyte biology.