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Adipose Stem Cell Function Maintained with Age: An Intra-Subject Study of Long-Term Cryopreserved Cells.
Lauren E Kokai1, Dmitry O Traktuev2, Liyong Zhang1
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
|April 2, 2017
Summary
Cryopreserved adipose stem cells (ASCs) maintain their number and function over time. This suggests banking younger cells may not offer significant advantages for future regenerative medicine therapies.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging leads to decreased tissue strength, potentially due to reduced stem cell function.
- Concerns exist about using autologous stem cell therapy in older individuals.
- Cryopreservation of adipose stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) containing adipose stem cells (ASCs) is a common practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare SVF composition and ASC function from the same patients over time (7-12 years).
- To assess the clinical benefit of banking younger stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed cryopreserved SVF from three patients harvested 7-12 years apart under GMP conditions.
- Evaluated cell yield, viability, SVF composition, ASC proliferation, and tri-lineage differentiation potential.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cell yield or SVF subpopulation composition were found between harvests.
- ASC proliferation rates remained unchanged.
- Expanded ASCs from all time points demonstrated tri-lineage differentiation capacity.
Conclusions:
- Adipose stem cell (ASC) prevalence and function are well-preserved despite natural aging.
- Cryopreserved ASCs show consistent quality over extended periods.
- The findings suggest banking younger stem cells may not be essential for efficacy.