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Molecular Physiognomies and Applications of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

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Abstract

Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) are multipotent with abilities to differentiate into multiple lineages including connective tissue and neural cells. Despite unlimited opportunity and needs for human and veterinary regenerative medicine, applications of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells are at present very limited. Furthermore, the fundamental biological factors regulating stemness in ASC and their stable differentiation into other tissue cells are not fully understood. The objective of this review was to provide an update on the current knowledge of the nature and isolation, molecular and epigenetic determinants of the potency, and applications of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells, as well as challenges and future directions. The first quarter of the review focuses on the nature of ASC, namely their definition, origin, isolation and sorting methods and multilineage differentiation potential, often with a comparison to mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow. Due to the indisputable role of epigenetic regulation on cell identities, epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and microRNAs) are described broadly in stem cells but with a focus on ASC. The final sections provide insights into the current and potential applications of ASC in human and veterinary regenerative medicine.

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Acknowledgments

FU was supported by the funding program of Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates and Young Academics and Scientists from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). IDM was funded by the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring grant from the National Science Foundation and through summer research grant from the Office of Graduate Studies at Mississippi State University. ADP was supported by the National Science Foundation under award EPS 0903787. SKT was funded by the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM) grant and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant DBI-1004842 from the National Science Foundation. AMP was supported by a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant DBI-1004842 by the National Science Foundation. Partial funding was provided by Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Neuherberg, München, 85764, Germany

    F. Uzbas

  2. Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    I. D. May

  3. Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    A. M. Parisi, S. K. Thompson & E. Memili

  4. Alta Genetics Inc., Watertown, WI, 53094, USA

    A. Kaya

  5. Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    A. D. Perkins

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  1. F. Uzbas
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  2. I. D. May
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  7. E. Memili
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Correspondence to E. Memili.

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Uzbas, F., May, I.D., Parisi, A.M. et al. Molecular Physiognomies and Applications of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev and Rep 11, 298–308 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-014-9578-0

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