Molecular Regulation of Adipogenesis by CD24

Dysregulation of fat cell development (adipogenesis) causes major health concerns. Over production of adipose tissue, occurring in obesity, can cause heart disease, diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer, while the wasting of adipose tissue, cachexia, commonly seen in cancer patients and patients receiving retroviral treatment increases the risk of death. CD24 is a GPI linked cell surface receptor known to regulate cell fate of a variety of cells types including apoptosis in precursor B cells and proliferation in cancer cells. Research published in 2008 suggests that CD24 plays a role in pre-adipocyte development. My research takes both an in vivo and in vitro approach to determine the role of CD24 during adipocyte development.