Isolation method for a stem cell population with neural potential from skin and adipose tissue

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, research on stem cells has been focused on the development of personalized cell-based therapies. Owing to their homing properties, adult human stem cells are a promising source of autologous cells to be used as therapeutic vehicles. Multiple potential sources for clinically useful stem and progenitor cells have been identified, including autologous and allogenic embryonic, fetal and adult somatic cells from neural, adipose and mesenchymal tissue. In the present report, we describe a simple protocol to obtain an enriched culture of adult stem cells organized in neurospheres from two post-natal tissues: skin and adipose tissue. METHODS: Adult stem cells isolated from skin and adipose tissue derived from the same adult donor were amplified under varying conditions related to the coating of the chamber slide and the presence of serum and/or growth factors, such as with EGF and FGF2. Neurospheres were then expanded and evaluated in terms of proliferation and gene expression. RESULTS: Adipose and skin derived neurospheres were comparable in size, quantity of cells and genes expressed. Cells from both types of tissue grew optimally without slide coating, in the presence of serum and with the combined addition of FGF2 and EGF. DISCUSSION: We describe a method for isolating and improving a population of multipotent adult precursor cells from the two most accessible adult tissue sources: skin and adipose tissue. This autologous adult stem cell population could be used for cell replacement or cell therapies.