BPA in ASC adipogenic differentiation

Endocrine disruption by bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with obesity in humans; however, the mechanisms behind this are unknown. Ohlstein and colleagues determined the effects of BPA on adipogenesis in cultured human adipose stromal/stem cells (ASCs), precursors to mature adipocytes. BPA significantly enhanced adipogenesis in culture, and increased transcription of the estrogen receptor (ER), which was reversed by ER antagonist treatment, indicating that BPA may act via an ER-mediated pathway. Molecular analyses indicated that BPA increased expression of DLK, IGF1, CEBPA, PPARG, and LPL.

Read the full article at Ohlstein et al. (2014) Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 53 345–353. DOI:10.1530/JME-14-0052