[Adipose tissue, plastic and reconstructive surgery: come back to sources].

Area of Science:

• Adipose tissue biology and stem cell research.

Context:

• Historically considered inert filler tissue, adipose tissue's role in energy metabolism and endocrine functions is increasingly understood.
• Recent advancements highlight the presence and accessibility of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) throughout adulthood.

Purpose:

• To explore the multifaceted roles of adipose tissue beyond its traditional applications.
• To investigate the potential of adipose-derived cells in regenerative medicine.

Summary:

• Adipose tissue is a significant adult tissue with emerging endocrine functions impacting inflammation and immunity.
• Primary cultures reveal the presence of multipotent preadipocytes and other stem cell populations within adipose tissue.
• In vitro studies demonstrate the differentiation potential of adipose-derived cells into cardiomyocytes, osteoblasts, and neural cells.

Impact:

• Adipose-derived cells offer a promising source for regenerative therapies due to ease of sampling and differentiation capacity.
• The potential for creating cell and tissue banks from adipose tissue opens new avenues in regenerative medicine.
• This research broadens the therapeutic applications of adipose tissue in reconstructive surgery and beyond.