Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells are characterized by peculiar mechanisms of hormonal regulation. Here we describe a protocol of analysis of hormonal cross-talk in adipose tissue derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Specifically, cells were treated by a "sensitizing" hormone/neuromediator followed by the measurement of cellular Ca2+ response to the "readout" hormone after various time intervals. This protocol was successfully used in studies demonstrating a permissive effect of noradrenaline and 5-HT on MSCs sensitivity to noradrenaline, which is a predictive marker of the development of obesity-associated arterial hypertension.
Keywords:
Adipose tissue; Calcium imaging at the single cell level; Mesenchymal stem cells; Noradrenaline; Obesity; Obesity-associated hypertension; Serotonin.