Dilated Blood and Lymphatic Microvessels, Angiogenesis, Increased Macrophages, and Adipocyte Hypertrophy in Lipedema Thigh Skin and Fat Tissue

Background and Aim. Lipedema is a common painful SAT disorder characterized by enlargement of fat primarily in the legs of women. Case reports of lipedema tissue samples demonstrate fluid and fibrosis in the interstitial matrix, increased macrophages, and adipocyte hypertrophy. The aims of this project are to investigate blood vasculature, immune cells, and structure of lipedema tissue in a cohort of women. Methods. Forty-nine participants, 19 controls and 30 with lipedema, were divided into groups based on body mass index (BMI): Non-Obese (BMI 20 to <30kg/m(2)) and Obese (BMI 30 to <40kg/m(2)). Histological sections from thigh skin and fat were stained with H&E. Adipocyte area and blood vessel size and number were quantified using ImageJ software. Markers for macrophages (CD68), mast cells (CD117), T cells (CD3), endothelial cells (CD31), blood (SMA), and lymphatic (D2-40 and Lyve-1) vessels were investigated by IHC and IF. Results. Non-Obese Lipedema adipocyte area was larger than Non-Obese Controls (p=0.005) and similar to Obese Lipedema and Obese Controls. Macrophage numbers were significantly increased in Non-Obese (p<0.005) and Obese (p<0.05) Lipedema skin and fat compared to Control groups. No differences in T lymphocytes or mast cells were observed when comparing Lipedema to Control in both groups. SMA staining revealed increased dermal vessels in Non-Obese Lipedema patients (p<0.001) compared to Non-Obese Controls. Lyve-1 and D2-40 staining showed a significant increase in lymphatic vessel area but not in number or perimeter in Obese Lipedema participants (p<0.05) compared to Controls (Obese and Non-Obese). Areas of angiogenesis were found in the fat in 30% of lipedema participants but not controls. Conclusion. Hypertrophic adipocytes, increased numbers of macrophages and blood vessels, and dilation of capillaries in thigh tissue of non-obese women with lipedema suggest inflammation, and angiogenesis occurs independent of obesity and demonstrates a role of altered vasculature in the manifestation of the disease.Lipedema Foundation; University of Arizona College of Medicine TREAT ProgramOpen access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

#35 - Enamel isotopes reveal late Pleistocene ecosystem dynamics in southeastern North America

The end of the late Pleistocene (~10,000 years ago) witnessed the extinction of over seventy percent of North America’s megafaunal genera. Although this pattern has been extensively investigated, its causal mechanisms remain elusive. Much of this difficulty is related to the spatial and temporal discontinuity of sites dating to the period leading up to the extinctions. Due to its removal from glacial conditions, southeastern North America provides a unique window into ecosystem dynamics just prior to human arrival in the region. In this study, we present new stable carbon and oxygen isotope data from Mammuthus columbiand Bison latifronsteeth collected from a well-dated Last Glacial Maximum (~20,000 rcybp) locality called Clark Quarry in coastal Georgia, USA. We compare these data to those from similarly aged (middle and late Rancholabrean) localities from Florida and demonstrate the presence of a vegetation gradient with elevated levels of C3vegetation at higher latitudes. We hypothesize that this pattern may have contributed to previously described migratory patterns of mastodon (Mammut) populations in southeastern North America. Serially-sampled δ13C and δ18O values suggest that Clark Quarry Mammuthus and Bison changed their diet seasonally with the incorporation of elevated quantities of C4vegetation during warmer periods. Our data indicate more exaggerated seasonal dietary variability in these taxa at Clark Quarry relative to those collected from the interglacial locality of Waccasassa River in Florida, providing additional evidence for the significant influence of glacial dynamics in structuring North American ecosystems

Impact of Family Focused Diabetes Intervention on Metabolic Risk Factors in 9 to 12 Year Old Youth

In the United States, approximately 1 in 3 children are overweight, and 1 in 5 obese, conditions associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. Treatment of type 2 diabetes is costly and not always effective, thus, prevention offers the best course of "treatment." However, few diabetes prevention programs are accessible to at-risk children, or involve their caregivers. The E.P.I.C. Kids study is a family-focused community-based diabetes prevention program developed in partnership with the YMCA of Southern Arizona, targeting 9-12-yr-olds at risk of diabetes, and led by YMCA lifestyle coaches. In this 12-week pilot study, we assessed the metabolic risk of participants and investigated changes in metabolic biomarkers following the intervention

DNA microarray analysis of fim mutations in Escherichia coli

Bacterial adhesion is often mediated by complex polymeric surface structures referred to as fimbriae. Type I fimbriae of Escherichia coli represent the archetypical and best characterised fimbrial system. These adhesive organelles mediate binding to D-mannose and are directly associated with virulence in the urinary tract. A typical type I fimbriated bacterium has up to 500 fimbriae on its surface, with each fimbria consisting of similar to1000 individual subunits. This equates to approximately 8% of the total cellular protein and is potentially a significant resource drain for the cell. Here we have used DNA microarray analysis to examine the molecular events involved in response to fimbrial gene expression in E. coli K-12. Observed differential expression levels of the fim genes were in good agreement with our current knowledge of the stoichiometry of type I fimbriae. Changes in fim expression correlated directly with alterations in colony morphology. Deletion of the entire fim gene cluster resulted in the converse expression of another surface protein Antigen 43 (Ag43). Specific deletion of the film gene did not affect expression of other film genes or Ag43, but did dramatically reduce the number of fimbriae expressed on the cell surface. The use of high-resolution oligonucleotide arrays for defining points of transcription initiation and termination is also demonstrated

Enamel isotopes reveal late Pleistocene ecosystem dynamics in southeastern North America

The end of the late Pleistocene (∼10,000 years ago) witnessed the extinction of over seventy percent of North America\u27s megafaunal genera. Although this pattern has been extensively investigated, its causal mechanisms remain elusive. Much of this difficulty is related to the spatial and temporal discontinuity of sites dating to the period leading up to the extinctions. In this study, we present new stable carbon and oxygen isotope data from Mammuthus columbi and Bison latifrons teeth collected from a well-dated Last Glacial Maximum (∼20,000 rcybp) locality called Clark Quarry in coastal Georgia, USA. This site lies in direct proximity to where Sir Charles Lyell collected the type specimen of M. columbi in 1846 and therefore is of added historical significance. We compare these data to those from similarly aged (Sangamonian interglacial and Wisconsin glacial intervals) localities from Florida and demonstrate the presence of a vegetation gradient with elevated levels of C3 vegetation at higher latitudes. Serially-sampled δ13C and δ18O values suggest that Clark Quarry Mammuthus and Bison changed their diet seasonally with the incorporation of elevated quantities of C4 vegetation during warmer periods. Our data indicate more exaggerated seasonal dietary variability in these taxa at Clark Quarry relative to those collected from the Sangamonian interglacial locality of Waccasassa River in Florida, providing additional evidence for the significant influence of glacial dynamics in structuring North American ecosystems. These high-resolution ecological patterns should be incorporated into hypotheses focused on extinction dynamics in southeastern North America and more broadly

Metabolic functions of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains from Populus deltoides depend on rhizosphere or endosphere isolation compartment

The bacterial microbiota of plants is diverse, with 1,000s of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with any individual plant. In this work we investigate the differences between 19 sequenced Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, isolated from Populus deltoides rhizosphere and endosphere and which represent a single OTU, using phenotypic analysis, comparative genomics, and metabolic models. While no traits were exclusive to either endosphere or rhizosphere P. fluorescens isolates, multiple pathways relevant for plant-bacterial interactions are enriched in endosphere isolate genomes. Further, growth phenotypes such as phosphate solubilization, protease activity, denitrification and root growth promotion are biased towards endosphere isolates. Endosphere isolates have significantly more metabolic pathways for plant signaling compounds and an increased metabolic range that includes utilization of energy rich nucleotides and sugars, consistent with endosphere colonization. Rhizosphere P. fluorescens have fewer pathways representative of plant-bacterial interactions but show metabolic bias towards chemical substrates often found in root exudates. This work reveals the diverse functions that may contribute to colonization of the endosphere by bacteria and are enriched among closely related isolates