Adipose-derived stem cells: Fatty potentials for therapy

Wee Kiat Ong, Shigeki Sugii

Research output: Contribution to journalShort SurveyOtherpeer-review

109 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population found in the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) of fat tissue. White adipose tissue (WAT), with well-established roles in lipid storage and adipokine secretion, is advantageous over bone marrow as the source of MSCs due to relative abundance and ease of isolation of the tissue. ASCs reside perivascularly within WAT and physiologically undergo adipogenesis to support WAT expansion in response to increased energy intake. Apart from adipogenesis, ASCs can be induced in vitro to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondroblasts, myocytes, neurons and other cell types. ASCs can also be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells more efficiently than other cell types. ASCs are immunoprivileged cells and secrete immunomodulatory, angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and haematopoietic factors that facilitate tissue repair. The multi-lineage differentiation capacity, unique immunobiological properties and secretome of ASCs offer tremendous therapeutic potentials in regenerative medicine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1083-1086
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adipose-derived stromal cells
  • Fat development and origin
  • iPS cells/iPSCs
  • Preadipocyte/adipocytic progenitor
  • Regenerative therapies

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