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Obesity and associated diseases, such as diabetes, have reached epidemic proportions globally. In this era of "diabesity", white adipose tissue (WAT) has become a target of high interest for therapeutic strategies. To gain insights into mechanisms of adipose (patho‐)physiology, researchers traditionally relied on animal models. Leveraging Organ‐on‐Chip technology, a microphysiological in vitro model of human WAT is introduced: a tailored microfluidic platform featuring vasculature‐like perfusion that integrates 3D tissues comprising all major WAT‐associated cellular components (mature adipocytes, organotypic endothelial barriers, stromovascular cells including adipose tissue macrophages) in an autologous manner and recapitulates pivotal WAT functions, such as energy storage and mobilization as well as endocrine and immunomodulatory activities. A precisely controllable bottom‐up approach enables the generation of a multitude of replicates per donor circumventing inter‐donor variability issues and paving the way for personalized medicine. Moreover, it allows to adjust the model's degree of complexity via a flexible mix‐and‐match approach. This WAT‐on‐Chip system constitutes the first human‐based, autologous, and immunocompetent in vitro adipose tissue model that recapitulates almost full tissue heterogeneity and can become a powerful tool for human‐relevant research in the field of metabolism and its associated diseases as well as for compound testing and personalized‐ and precision medicine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KCNMA1 is a pore-forming α-subunit of the large conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channels, referred to as BK channels, which play key roles in various physiological functions. However, the role of KCNMA1 in mature adipocytes remains unclear. In this study, we reveal that kcnma1 expression is downregulated in white adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet and in hypertrophied adipocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of kcnma1 expression or treatment with a BK channel blocker attenuated insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation in mature adipocytes. These results strongly indicate that KCNMA1 contributes to the regulation of insulin signalling in mature adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of vascularized adipose tissue is still an ongoing challenge as no culture medium is available to supply adipocytes and endothelial cells appropriately. Endothelial cell medium is typically supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as hydrocortisone (HC). The effect of EGF on adipocytes is discussed controversially. Some studies say it inhibits adipocyte differentiation while others reported of improved adipocyte lipogenesis. HC is known to have lipolytic activities, which might result in mature adipocyte dedifferentiation. In this study, we evaluated the influence of EGF and HC on the co-culture of endothelial cells and mature adipocytes regarding their cell morphology and functionality. We showed in mono-culture that high levels of HC promoted dedifferentiation and proliferation of mature adipocytes, whereas EGF seemed to have no negative influence. Endothelial cells kept their typical cobblestone morphology and showed a proliferation rate comparable to the control independent of EGF and HC concentration. In co-culture, HC promoted dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes, which was shown by a higher glycerol release. EGF had no negative impact on adipocyte morphology. No negative impact on endothelial cell morphology and functionality could be seen with reduced EGF and HC supplementation in co-culture with mature adipocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that reduced levels of HC are needed for co-culturing mature adipocytes and endothelial cells. In co-culture, EGF had no influence on mature adipocytes. Therefore, for the composition of vascularized adipose tissue constructs, the media with low levels of HC and high or low levels of EGF can be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]