Cellular Metabolism Unit

The Cellular Metabolism Unit is a research and service core within the Center for Immunometabolism (CIM), dedicated to investigating the fundamental molecular mechanisms of energy homeostasis and metabolic diseases. The unit offers specialized expertise in in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro metabolic phenotyping, advanced cellular bioenergetics, and molecular analysis to support translational research in obesity, diabetes, and immunometabolism.

Mission

To provide researchers with state-of-the-art tools, customized assays, and expert consultation to dissect cellular metabolic pathways, enabling the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

Key Techniques & Services

1. In Vivo Metabolic Phenotyping

We provide sophisticated rodent models to investigate systemic metabolism in response to various physiological, pathological, and pharmacological stimuli.

  • Disease & Physiological Models: Extensive experience analyzing models of diet-induced obesity, lipodystrophy, diabetes, fatty liver, and specific metabolic states triggered by fasting, cold exposure, or pharmacological agents.
  • Metabolic Measurements: Comprehensive analysis including indirect calorimetry (VO₂, RER), body composition (EchoMRI), glucose/insulin/fat tolerance tests, and core body temperature monitoring.
  • Surgical Models: Adipose tissue transplantation to rescue metabolic defects associated with lipodystrophy.

2. In Vitro Metabolic Phenotyping

We provide customized platforms based on cells and tissues to investigate cellular-level metabolic regulation.

  • Primary Cell & Tissue Models:
    • Cell Isolation & Culture: Proficiency in isolating and culturing primary cells, including the differentiation of adipocytes from the stromal vascular fraction and macrophages derived from bone marrow or peritoneally.
    • Ex Vivo Tissue Culture: Culture of tissue explants (e.g., adipose tissue) to analyze direct responses to various stimuli.
  • Cellular Bioenergetics & Metabolism:
    • Seahorse XF Pro Analyzer: Offering real-time metabolic analysis to measure mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, and ATP production under basal or stressed conditions. Key assays include the Mito Stress Test, Glycolytic Rate Assay, Fatty Acid Oxidation (FAO) Assay, Substrate Utilization Assays, and Drug Efficacy/Toxicity Screening.
    • Cellular Lipid Metabolism: Quantification of lipid dynamics, including catabolism (lipolysis), accumulation, and release.
    • Efferocytosis Assay: Assess the phagocytic capacity of macrophages using apoptotic cells (e.g., adipocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells).
    • Secretome Analysis: Quantification of secreted factors, including metabolites, exosomes, and cytokines from cell and tissue culture.

3. Molecular & Biochemical Platforms

We provide multi-level molecular and biochemical tools to elucidate the mechanisms of metabolic control.

  • Pathway Dissection: Utilizing specific pharmacological inhibitors, activators, and metabolite add-back strategies to delineate the roles of key enzymes and metabolic pathways.
  • Subcellular Fractionation: Isolation of organelles and compartments (e.g., nucleus, lipid droplets, lysosomes, mitochondria) to analyze protein localization and function.
  • Protein & Gene Analysis: Quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA to measure changes in relevant metabolic and signaling targets in various tissues and cells.
  • Cell Viability & Histology: Assessment of apoptosis through methods like Annexin V/PI staining, complemented by H&E/ Immunofluorescence staining for tissue morphology analysis.

Highlighted Work-Related References

Yeh YS, Evans TD, Iwase M, Jeong SJ, Zhang X, Liu Z, Park A, Ghasemian A, Dianati B, Javaheri A, Kratky D, Kawarasaki S, Goto T, Zhang H, Dutta P, Schopfer FJ, Straub AC, Cho J, Lodhi IJ, Razani B. Identification of lysosomal lipolysis as an essential noncanonical mediator of adipocyte fasting and cold-induced lipolysis. J Clin Invest. 2025 Mar 17;135(6):e185340. doi: 10.1172/JCI185340. PMID: 40091840; PMCID: PMC11910232.

Yeh YS, Evans TD, Jeong SJ, Liu Z, Ajam A, Cosme C Jr, Huang J, Peroumal D, Zhang X, Javaheri A, Cho J, Lodhi IJ, Razani B. Assessing the efficacy of the natural disaccharide trehalose in ameliorating diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Front Nutr. 2025 Jun 2;12:1580684. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1580684. PMID: 40529415; PMCID: PMC12171462.

Yeh YS, Iwase M, Kawarasaki S, Kwon J, Rodriguez-Velez A, Zhang X, Jeong SJ, Goto T, Razani B. Subcutaneous Transplantation of White Adipose Tissue. Methods Mol Biol. 2023;2662:183-192. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3167-6_16. Erratum in: Methods Mol Biol. 2023;2662:C1. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3167-6_22. PMID: 37076681.