Characterization of mechanical and regenerative properties of human, adipose stromal cells

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adipose tissue is a heterogeneous population, with component cell types that may or may not contribute to its regenerative potential. Recent findings indicate that single-cell mechanical biomarkers are characteristic of cell type and can be used comparably to gene and protein expressions to identify cell populations. In this study, we characterized mechanical properties and differentiation potential of cell types present in the SVF. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to isolate four distinct populations based on surface markers: endothelial cells (EC), adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), pre-adipocytes, and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Atomic force microscopy was used to mechanically characterize sorted cell populations and unsorted SVF. Differentiation capabilities of sorted and unsorted populations were evaluated by quantifying lipid production and calcified matrix deposition. Cells populating the SVF exhibited a range of mechanical properties, with ECs, ASCs, pre-adipocytes, and unsorted SVF cells being significantly more compliant than SMCs. Lineage-specific metabolite production was most robust in SVF cells, followed by ASCs, with the other cell types showing little or no potential, suggesting the unsorted populations may benefit from a paracrine response that is lacking once the cells are sorted into more uniform cell populations.