Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Adult Stem Cells

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...

Stem Cell Culture

Stem Cell Culture

Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.

Stem Cell Niche

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Systematic review on the safety and effectiveness of restorative therapies for erectile dysfunction.

The journal of sexual medicine·2026

Same author

Effects and mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasounds on testicular steroidogenesis in rats.

Asian journal of andrology·2026

Same author

Nano-islands of CQDs anchored on carbon nitride for enhanced oxygen reduction through amidation polymerization with strong built-in electric field.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2025

Same author

Amniotic fluid stem cell therapy improves erectile function in a diabetic rat model.

Andrology·2025

Same author

Yellow Fluorescent Hydrogel with Carbon Quantum Dots: An Innovative Guardian in the Field of Information Security.

Analytical chemistry·2025

Same author

Principlism and contemporary ethical considerations for providers of transgender health care.

International journal of transgender health·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Published on: July 17, 2018

Defining stem and progenitor cells within adipose tissue.

Guiting Lin¹, Maurice Garcia, Hongxiu Ning

¹Knuppe Molecular Urology Laboratory, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0738, USA.

Stem Cells and Development

|July 4, 2008

Summary

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) originate from vascular precursors within human fat tissue. These stem cells, identified by specific markers, can differentiate into various cell types, including adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Adipose Progenitor Cells from Mouse Epididymal Adipose Tissues

Preparation of Adipose Progenitor Cells from Mouse Epididymal Adipose Tissues

Published on: August 25, 2020

Differentiation Capacity of Human Aortic Perivascular Adipose Progenitor Cells

Differentiation Capacity of Human Aortic Perivascular Adipose Progenitor Cells

Published on: March 5, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Published on: July 17, 2018

Preparation of Adipose Progenitor Cells from Mouse Epididymal Adipose Tissues

Preparation of Adipose Progenitor Cells from Mouse Epididymal Adipose Tissues

Published on: August 25, 2020

Differentiation Capacity of Human Aortic Perivascular Adipose Progenitor Cells

Differentiation Capacity of Human Aortic Perivascular Adipose Progenitor Cells

Published on: March 5, 2019

Area of Science:

Stem Cell Biology
Adipose Tissue Research
Vascular Biology

Background:

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are crucial for regenerative medicine.
Previous studies suggested ADSCs reside perivascularly, coexpressing CD34 and alpha-SMA.
Limited histological evidence supported the precise location and markers of ADSCs in native tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

To precisely define the location of ADSCs within human adipose tissue using advanced histological techniques.
To identify specific cell surface and niche markers associated with ADSCs in their native environment.
To elucidate the vascular origin and differentiation potential of ADSCs.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining of human adipose tissue.
Analysis of cell surface markers (CD34, CD31, alpha-SMA, STRO-1, SSEA1).
Detection of niche markers (Wnt5a) and stem cell markers (telomerase, OCT4).

Main Results:

CD31 and alpha-SMA confirmed localization in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, respectively.
CD34 was found in both intima and adventitia, distinct from alpha-SMA.
STRO-1, SSEA1, telomerase, and OCT4 showed specific localizations within vascular structures and pericytes, suggesting a vascular precursor origin for ADSCs.

Conclusions:

ADSCs are proposed to be vascular precursor (stem) cells at various differentiation stages within adipose tissue.
These cells exhibit multipotential differentiation capacity, both in situ (e.g., adipocytes) and in vitro (e.g., osteoblasts, chondrocytes).
Findings challenge previous assumptions and provide a refined understanding of ADSC origins and characteristics.