title: Characterization of human adipose-derived stem cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a growing scientific interest in the plasticity and therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), which are multipotent and abundant in adipose tissue and can differentiate in vitro into multiple lineages, including adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, neural cells, endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to isolate, cultivate and identify ASCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human adipose precursor cells were obtained from subcutaneous abdominal tissue. Recently dispersed cells were separated by density centrifugation gradient, cultured and then analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human ASCs were able to replicate in our culture conditions. The cells maintained their phenotypes throughout the studied period on different passages confirming they suitability for in vitro cultivation. We also induced their adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, verifying their mesenchymal stem cells potentiality in vitro. Flow cytometry results showed that these cells expressed CD73, CD90 and CD105, (mesenchymal stem-cells markers), contrasting with the lack of expression of CD16, CD34 and CD45 (hematopoietic cells markers).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was possible to isolate human adipose-derived stem cells by in vitro cultivation without adipogenic induction, maintaining their functional integrity and high proliferation levels. The cells demonstrated adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro.
authors: Plastic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. silvanagaiba@gmail.com
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Gaiba
authors: Lucimar Pereira de
authors: LP
authors: França
authors: Jerônimo Pereira de
authors: JP
authors: França
authors: Lydia Masako
authors: LM
authors: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000328:Adult; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells; D008875:Middle Aged