Isolation of human adipose-derived stem cells from lipoaspirates

Adipose tissue is as an abundant and accessible source of stem cells with multipotent properties suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medical applications. Here, we describe methods from our own laboratory and the literature for the isolation and expansion of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). We present a large-scale procedure suitable for processing >100-ml volumes of lipoaspirate tissue specimens by collagenase digestion and a related procedure suitable for processing adipose tissue aspirates without digestion.