Adult human subcutaneous adipose tissue harbors a multipotent stem cell population, the so-called human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs). High numbers of these cells can be easily isolated from routine liposuction (lipoaspirate) and reconstructive surgery (lipectomy) waste materials using a collagenase-based digestion procedure. AT-MSCs are able to differentiate in vitro into various cell types and possess immunomodulatory features. Therefore they represent a particularly attractive human stem cells source for in vitro toxicology research.
The two most extensively used AT-MSC purification techniques are (i) density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll and (ii) red blood cell (RBC) lysis buffer treatment of the stromal vascular fraction. These procedures represent the basis of our research on AT-MSC. We have showed that the quality, purity and differentiation potential of AT-MSCs might depend on the employed isolation procedures. Our main interest is to develop robust isolation, purification and hepatogenic differentiation protocols to obtain high-quality heptocyte-like cells for in vitro toxicological applications.
morphology and mesodermal differentiation capacity of AT-MSCs purified by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation or RBC lysis buffer treatment
Researchers
Prof. Joery De Kock
Dr. Robim M. Rodrigues
PhD student Karolien Buyl
Relevant Publications
- Najar M.*, Rodrigues RM.*, Buyl K., Branson S., Vanhaecke T., Lagneaux L., Rogiers V. and De Kock J. (2014) Proliferative and phenotypical characteristics of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells: comparison of Ficoll gradient centrifugation and red blood cell lysis buffer treatment isolation methods. Cytotherapy 16(9):1220-1228. [*equally contributing first authors]
- Al Battah F., De Kock J., Vanhaecke T. and Rogiers V. (2011) Current status of human adipose-derived stem cells: differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells. The Scientific World Journal 11:1568-1581.
- Al Battah F.*, De Kock J.*, Ramboer E., Heymans A., Vanhaecke T., Rogiers V. and Snykers S. (2011) Evaluation of the multipotent character of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells isolated by Ficoll gradient centrifugation and red blood cell lysis treatment. Toxicol In Vitro 25(6): 1224-1230. [*equally contributing first authors]