Brown Fat Cell Compositions and Methods
Methods of developing and using cell lines, such as stem cell lines, for therapeutic or cosmetic use. In one embodiment the cell lines are used to treat a wide range of degenerative and metabolic disorders including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac deficiency. Also described are methods of using such cell lines to screen for compounds that play a role in regulating a variety of processes.
1 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . A method of differentiating a stem cell into a brown fat cell, the method comprising: contacting a stem cell with a medium not comprising an animal product, thereby generating a brown fat stem cell.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the medium comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of: insulin, dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, indomethacin, T3, rosiglitazone, FNDC5 and combinations thereof.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the medium comprises insulin, dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, and indomethacin.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the brown fat stem cell expresses PRDM-16, PGC-1, or a combination thereof.
21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the brown fat tissue is from a sample obtained from a subject.