Characteristics and properties of mesenchymal stem cells derived from micro-fragmented adipose tissue

The subcutaneous adipose tissue provides a clear advantage over other mesenchymal stem cells sources due to the ease with which it can be accessed as well as to the ease of isolating the residing stem cells. Human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) localize in the stromal-vascular portion and can be ex vivo isolated using a combination of washing steps and enzymatic digestion. In this study we report that microfragmented human lipoaspirated adipose tissue results as a better stem cell source compared to normal lipoaspirated tissue. The structural composition of microfragments is comparable to the original tissue. Differently however, this procedure activates the expression of antigens such as beta-tubulin III. The hADSCs derived from microfragmented lipoaspirate tissue have been systematically characterized for growth features, phenotype and multi-potent differentiation potential. They fulfill the definition of mesenchymal stem cells although with a higher neural phenotype profile. These cells also express genes that constitute the core circuitry of self-renewal such as OCT4, SOX2, NANOG and neurogenic lineage genes such as NEUROD1, PAX6 and SOX3. Such findings suggest further studies by evaluating Microfrag-AT hADSCs action in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions.