Adipose-Derived Cells
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The potential of regenerative cell-based therapies has expanded in recent years due to major steps forward in cell research. One key discovery is that our bodies have a rich supply of regenerative cells that can be found in adipose (fat) tissue. The supply of regenerative cells in adipose tissue provides a non-controversial source of adult stem cells that can be used as a basis for developing new treatments for a range of inflammatory diseases, including orthopaedic conditions like osteoarthritis that arise through degenerative disease, injury and old age. |
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Adipose tissue is filled with cells called adipocytes. Adipocytes are cells that store fat and as an individual becomes more obese the adipocytes swell as they hold more fat. It has recently been recognised that these adipocytes play an important cell-signalling role and secrete a range of substances that effect many parts of the body. Running throughout the adipose tissue is a network of capillaries that deliver nutrients and oxygen to the adipocytes and carry away the secretions. Hanging off the capillaries, like bunches of grapes on a vine, are large numbers of cells that are not adipocytes. These cells include mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which form a key part of adipose cell-based treatments. |
Adipose tissue with a nucleic stain |
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Stem cells are present in adipose tissue in surprisingly high numbers. One gram of fat will contain up to one million MSCs. In comparison, the same amount of bone marrow will contain less than 1,000 MSCs. The large numbers and ready availability of MSCs in adipose tissue has resulted in a number of experimental treatments where there is no need to expand or culture the cells. |
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Stem cells are not the only cells that are attached to the capillaries. There are endothelial progenitor cells known to be involved in angiogenesis (increased blood supply to tissue), monocytes and macrophages that secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines, pericytes, mast cells, preadipocytes, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. The HiQCell and AdiCell procedures utilise this entire mixture of cells along with adipocytes and the MSCs.
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Adipose-derived stem cells |
