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Human adipose tissue is a source of multipotent stem cells.
Patricia A Zuk1, Min Zhu, Peter Ashjian
1Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Regenerative Bioengineering and Repair Laboratory, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. zukpat@yahoo.com
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|December 12, 2002
Summary
Adipose-derived stem cells, known as processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells, exhibit multipotent differentiation similar to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These PLA cells also show unique neurogenic potential and distinct molecular profiles compared to MSCs.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Adipose Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow stroma are widely studied adult stem cells.
- Adipose tissue, a readily accessible mesenchyme-derived tissue, contains a stromal compartment with potential stem cells.
- Preliminary research suggests a stem cell population within adipose stromal tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the presence and multipotency of stem cells within adipose tissue.
- To characterize the differentiation capacity of processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells.
- To compare PLA cells with bone marrow-derived MSCs.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of PLA cells from human lipoaspirates.
- Induction of differentiation towards mesodermal lineages (osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic, chondrogenic).
- Molecular and biochemical analyses including CD marker profiling, gene expression, and protein analysis.
- Assessment of neurogenic differentiation potential.
Main Results:
- PLA cells expressed CD markers similar to MSCs.
- PLA cells and their clones successfully differentiated into osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, confirmed by gene and protein expression.
- PLA cells demonstrated neurogenic differentiation potential, exhibiting neuronal-like morphology and expressing neuronal markers.
- Distinct differences in CD marker profiles and gene expression were observed between PLA cells and MSCs.
Conclusions:
- Adipose tissue harbors a multipotent stem cell population (PLA cells) capable of mesodermal differentiation.
- PLA cells possess unique neurogenic potential not typically associated with MSCs.
- PLA cells represent a distinct stem cell population with unique characteristics compared to bone marrow-derived MSCs, offering potential for regenerative medicine applications.