DDE downregulates PLIN2 expression during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes in lipid-enriched medium

• Perilipin 2 expression in adipocytes is increased by exposure to lipids.
• Perilipin 2 expression may be downregulated by DDE in differentiating adipocytes.
• Lipid droplet metabolism could be influenced by DDE.

Evidence indicating, that persistent organic pollutants are involved in the development of obesity, has emerged. The aim of this study was to reveal whether an environmental bioaccumulative human adipose tissue contaminant, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), affects adipocyte differentiation. Our study was conducted on an in vitro adipogenic model of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSC). The adipose cultures were exposed to DDE (concentrations: 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM) for 28 consecutive days, from the beginning of the experiment until full differentiation. DDE was administered in lipid vehicle (NuTRIflex). Samples for gene expression analysis by RT real-time PCR were collected on days 0, 4, 10, 21 and 28 during the course of differentiation. Differentiating adipocytes cultivated in lipid-rich medium (NuTRIflex) increased the expression of perilipin 2 (PLIN2). However, the addition of DDE suppressed this effect (p < 0.03). Our results may suggest that upregulation of PLIN2, caused by exposure to lipids during the differentiation of adipocytes, is reduced in the presence of DDE. This effect of DDE warrants future attention, because of the important role of PLIN2 in formation and stabilization of lipid droplets, as the impairment of their function could be linked to the worldwide obesity epidemic.

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