Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells and their differentiation potential into the endothelial lineage

Abstract

Subcutaneous adipose tissue is ubiquitous and easily accessible in large quantities with a minimal invasive procedure by liposuction aspiration, qualifying it as a good source for stem cell isolation. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (ASCs) can easily be isolated by a relatively simple method, yielding a high amount of stem cells, which is essential for stem cell-based therapies and tissue engineering. Several studies have provided evidence that ASCs in situ reside in the wall surrounding the vasculature, and that blood vessels in virtually all organs and tissues harbour ubiquitous (mesenchymal) stem cells in their perivascular niche. Nevertheless, the exact localization of ASCs in native adipose tissue is still under debate. ASCs are isolated by their capacity to adhere to cell culture plastic and are maintained in culture for up to 10-15 passages. Cultured cells are characterized by their expression of a panel of characteristic markers and their capacity to differentiate into cells from meso-, ecto- and endodermal lineages. ASCs possess a high plasticity and differentiate into various cell types, including endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge about ASCs and their differentiation potential into endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.