Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cell Yield Depends on Isolation Protocol and Cell Counting Method

Abstract

In plastic surgery, lipofilling is a frequent procedure. Unsatisfactory vascularization and impaired cell vitality can lead to unpredictable take rates in the fat graft. The proliferation and neovascularization inducing properties of adipose tissue-derived stem cells may contribute to solve this problem. Therefore, the enrichment of fat grafts with stem cells is studied intensively. However, it is difficult to compare these studies because many factors—often not precisely described—are influencing the results. Our study summarizes some factors which influence the cell yield like harvesting, isolation procedure and quantification. Stem cells were isolated after liposuction. Quantification was done using a cell chamber, colony counting, or flow cytometry with changes to one parameter, only, for each comparison. Quantification of cells isolated after liposuction at the same harvesting site from the same patient can vary greatly depending on the details of the isolation protocol and the method of quantification. Cell yield can be influenced strongly by many factors. Therefore, a comparison of different studies should be handled with care.

Invited Response on: Smoking and Physical Activity Significantly Influence Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell Yield and Viability

“…We agree that different quantification methods could influence cell yield and viability assessments and might be the reason for the differences in results and conclusions between different studies [3]. However, in our study, we harvested lipoaspirates, processed and analyzed them all in the same manner.…”

Distinct Dominant Lineage from In Vitro Expanded Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs) Exhibits Enhanced Wound Healing Properties

“…The resulting adherent cell culture comprises different subpopulations, some of which may exhibit particular properties [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], while the remaining phenotypes may interfere with the overall therapeutic outcome. In addition, the ASC culture composition is greatly dependent on a specific donor [ 17 ] and isolation methods [ 18 , 19 ]. These are essential factors that underly the functional inconsistency of ASC preparation in terms of clinical utility.…”

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Effects in Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review

“…For example, harvesting large volumes of BM-MSCs is associated with increased donor-site morbidity [ 23 , 24 ]. Different buffers and culturing techniques can result in yield differences in AD-MSCs [ 25 , 26 ]. In general, AD-MSCs are metabolically active for longer durations, making them able to go through more replication cycles than BM-MSCs; however, no proposed mechanism has been given for this observation [ 13 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”