How fat stem cells change with obesity
Adipose stem cells' niche in obesity
Researchers are looking at how stem cells in fat tissue differ in people with obesity to better understand links to diabetes and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264890 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team collects small samples of fat tissue from adult volunteers and isolates the adipose stem cells (ASCs) to study their behavior. They compare cells from people with obesity to cells from lean volunteers and measure molecular signals, including long noncoding RNAs, that control metabolism and inflammation. Laboratory experiments recreate the local fat-tissue environment to see how it drives insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Findings aim to map the ways altered ASCs contribute to obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with obesity, including those with or at risk for type 2 diabetes, would be the most likely candidates to participate.
Not a fit: People who are not adults with obesity (for example under 21) or those unwilling to provide small fat tissue samples are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets in fat tissue for preventing or improving insulin resistance and diabetes in people with obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that adipose stem cells and their RNA signals differ in obesity, which supports this approach, but translating these findings into proven treatments remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- James a. Haley VA Medical Center — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Niketa a. — James a. Haley VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Patel, Niketa a.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.