Laser-scanning cytometry can quantify human adipocyte browning and proves effectiveness of irisin

Abstract

Laser-scanning cytometry is presented as a tool allowing population scale analysis of ex vivo human brown adipogenic differentiation. It combines texture analysis and detection of Ucp1 protein content in single brown adipocytes of mixed cell populations with gene expression pattern and functional characteristics of browning. Using this method we could validate mouse data in human samples demonstrating the effectiveness of irisin to induce "beige" differentiation of subcutaneous white adipocytes.