Fasting-dependent Vascular Permeability Enhancement in Brown Adipose Tissues Evidenced by Using Carbon Nanotubes as Fluorescent Probes

Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 27;8(1):14446. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32758-8.

Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is composed of thermogenic brown adipocytes (BA) and non-parenchymal components including vasculatures and extracellular matrix, contribute to the maintenance of body temperature. BAT distribution is detected by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose (18F-FDG) or single-photon-emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using [123/125I]-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid. Although sympathetic nerve activity and thermogenic capacity of BA is downregulated under fasting conditions in mice, fasting-dependent structural changes and fluid kinetics of BAT remain unknown. Here we show that the fasting induces fine and reversible structural changes in the non-parenchymal region in murine BAT with widened intercellular spaces and deformed collagen bands as revealed by electron microscopy. Interestingly, a newly introduced near infrared fluorescent probe of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with phospholipid polyethylene glycol (PLPEG) easily demonstrated enhanced vascular permeability in BAT by the fasting. PLPEG-CNTs extravasated and remained in intercellular spaces or further redistributed in parenchymal cells in fasted mice, which is a previously unknown phenomenon. Thus, PLPEG-CNTs provide a powerful tool to trace fluid kinetics in sub-tissue levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, Brown* / blood supply
  • Adipose Tissue, Brown* / diagnostic imaging
  • Animals
  • Capillary Permeability*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / chemistry
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes* / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Nanotubes, Carbon