Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatments and Available Formulations

Abstract

Purpose of Review The use of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) has gained attention due to its potential to expedite healing and the ease of harvesting; however, clinical evidence is limited, and questions concerning optimal method of delivery and long-term outcomes remain unanswered. Recent Findings Administration of ADSCs in animal models has been reported to aid in improved healing benefits with enhanced repair biomechanics, superior gross histological appearance of injury sites, and higher concentrations of growth factors associated with healing compared to controls. Recently, an increasing body of research has sought to examine the effects of ADSCs in humans. Summary Several available processing techniques and formulations for ADSCs exist with evidence to suggest benefits with the use of ADSCs, but the superiority of any one method is not clear. Evidence from the most recent clinical studies available demonstrates promising outcomes following treatment of select musculoskeletal pathologies with ADSCs despite reporting variability among ADSCs harvesting and processing; these include (1) healing benefits and pain improvement for rotator cuff and Achilles tendinopathies, (2) improvements in pain and function in those with knee and hip osteoarthritis, and (3) improved cartilage regeneration for osteochondral focal defects of the knee and talus. The limitation to most of this literature is the use of other therapeutic biologics in combination with ADSCs. Additionally, many studies lack control groups, making establishment of causation inappropriate. It is imperative to perform higher-quality studies using consistent, predictable control populations and to standardize formulations of ADSCs in these trials.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Current Applications and Future Directions in the Regeneration of Multiple Tissues

“…ADSCs have several advantages over BM-MSCs. On the one hand, higher yields of ADSCs can easily be obtained from subcutaneous regions through a minimally invasive and painless procedure; furthermore, ADSCs can maintain their phenotype longer in culture, present a greater proliferative capacity [ 8 ], and may also be more suitable for allogenic transplantation than BM-MSCs [ 9 ]. Besides, ADSCs can differentiate into cell types of the three developmental germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm), including adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, neurocytes, and hepatocyte [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Co-transfection with BMP2 and FGF2 via chitosan nanoparticles potentiates osteogenesis in human adipose-derived stromal cells in vitro

“…Numerous studies have shown that ADSCs have the potential to differentiate into fat, bone, cartilage, and muscle derived from mesoderm. 20 – 22 Single-cell cloning experiments have confirmed the pluripotent differentiation of ADSCs. 23 , 24 Although BMSCs were the first to be found to have osteogenic potential and were thus considered as seed cells for bone tissue engineering, 25 , 26 the number of BMSCs in the bone marrow is limited, and although in vitro expansion can produce large numbers of cells, it also leads to the loss of stem cell characteristics and potential changes in the differentiation potential.…”

Accentuating the sources of mesenchymal stem cells as cellular therapy for osteoarthritis knees—a panoramic review

“…AD-MSCs exhibit significant osteogenic potential with the cytokines secreted by the cellular mixture and hence act as a promising therapeutic agent for bone and cartilage engineering in orthopedic disorders (48). Our recent meta-analysis found AD-MSCs to have an upper hand compared to BM-MSCs in the management of OA knee in terms of their efficacy and safety (49).…”