title: Dedifferentiated adipocyte-derived progeny cells (DFAT cells): Potential stem cells of adipose tissue.
abstract: Analyses of mature adipocytes have shown that they possess a reprogramming ability in vitro, which is associated with dedifferentiation. The subsequent dedifferentiated fat cells (DFAT cells) are multipotent and can differentiate into adipocytes and other cell types as well. Mature adipocytes can be easily obtained by biopsy, and the cloned progeny cells are homogeneous in vitro. Therefore, DFAT cells (a new type of stem cell) may provide an excellent source of cells for tissue regeneration, engineering and disease treatment. The dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes, the multipotent capacity of DFAT cells and comparisons and contrasts with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology; Northwest A&F University; Yangling, Shaanxi PR China ; Department of Animal Sciences; Washington State University; Pullman, WA USA.
authors.forename: Shengjuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Linsen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zan
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hausman
authors.forename: Theodore P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Werner G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Bergen
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dodson
keywords: DFAT cells; MSCs; adipocytes; iPS; stem cells