Monkey embryonic stem cells differentiate into adipocytes in vitro.

Production of functional adipocytes is important in adipocyte research and regenerative medicine. In this paper, we describe the differentiation of monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells into insulin-responsive adipocytes. Treatment of embryoid body (EB) outgrowth with adipogenic hormones induced the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, such as PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, aP2, insulin receptor, and GLUT4. Expression of adipocytokines, leptin and adiponectin, was also detected. Furthermore, translocation of GLUT4 was observed by insulin stimulation in differentiated adipocytes. These results suggested that monkey ES cells can be a useful tool for studying adipogenesis in primate.