Adipogenesis is a developmental process in which an elongated preadipocyte differentiates to a round adipocyte along with the accumulation of lipid droplets. In the present study, we focus on the study of cell motility at the single-cell level, toward expanding our knowledge regarding the cytoskeleton alteration during differentiation; since-cell motility is mediated by cytoskeletal components. We used the holographic-microscopy live imaging technique to evaluate, for the first time in the literature, differences between the motility of nondifferentiated preadipocytes and differentiated mature adipocytes in living cell cultures over time. We revealed that mean motility speed of preadipocytes was significantly higher (fourfold) than that of adipocytes, and that the movement of preadipocytes is less consistent and more extensive. Furthermore, we found that preadipocytes tend to migrate to farther distances, while mature adipocytes remain relatively close to their original location. The results presented here are in agreement with the fact that the cytoskeleton of adipocytes is altered during differentiation and similarly, points to the fact that the cell-sensing mechanisms are changing during differentiation. Our research paves the way to gain better insights of the differentiation process and its implications on larger scale systems in the context of obesity.

Vasodilation occurs as a result of the relaxation of the smooth muscle cells present in the walls of blood vessels. Various suitable models are available for the analysis of the vasoactive properties of drugs with therapeutic applications. But all these models have limitations, such as ethical issues and high cost. The purpose of this study is to develop an alternative model for studying the vasoactive properties of drugs using an in-ovo chicken embryo model. In the preliminary experiment, we used a well-known vasoconstrictor (adrenaline) and a vasodilator (spermine NoNoate) in the chick embryo area vasculosa and evaluated their concentration-response curve. Adrenaline (10 µM) and spermine NoNoate (10 µM) were administered in different arteries and veins and different positions of the right vitelline artery of the chick embryo. Results showed the middle of the vessel bed of the right vitelline artery having the best vasoactive effect compared to others. Finally, anti-hypertensive drugs, calcium channel blockers, and NOS agonists were administered in the chick embryo area vasculosa to validate the model. Results demonstrate that the chick embryo area vasculosa can be an alternative, robust, and unique in-ovo model for screening of anti-hypertensive drugs in real time.