Basic Science Review on Adipose Tissue for Clinicians

Abstract

The recognition that fat contains stem cells has driven further examination into the potential uses of fat and adipose-derived stem cells in a wide number of clinical situations. New information about the harvesting, isolation, and subsequent differentiation properties of isolated adipose-derived stem cells has led to new research into novel tissue-engineered constructs and the transformation of adipose-derived stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cells. Clinically, use of fat grafts and adipose-derived stem cells worldwide and in the United States has dramatically increased in parallel to questions concerning the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived stem cell-based treatments. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of isolated adipose-derived stem cells for medical indications.

Repairing nerve gaps by vein conduits filled with lipoaspirate-derived entire adipose tissue hinders nerve regeneration

“…The use of adipose tissue in tissue engineering has become very popular over the last years, generating great expectations in the general public (Stosich and Mao, 2007;Gimble and Nuttall, 2011;Brown et al, 2010;Locke et al, 2011;Moseley et al, 2006). It is now being proposed as •regenerative toolŽ for various tissues and organs, including peripheral nerves (Zhang et al, 2010;Tse et al, 2010;Lopatina et al, 2011;Wei et al, 2011;di Summa et al, 2011), because it offers an effective and minimally inva-sive procedure for obtaining stem cells (Kern et al, 2006).…”

Concise Review: Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells and Stem Cells: Let's Not Get Lost in Translation

“…In addition, the immunosuppressive and tumor promoting functions of SVF cells and ASCs leads to concerns that their introduction into the breast tissue of a postmastectomy patient could enhance the recurrent growth of residual cancer cells [38]. Consequently, plastic surgeons and related clinical practitioners remain cautious concerning the use of adipose-derived cells in the context of cancer patients at this time [53].…”

Cell-assisted lipotransfer in the clinical treatment of facial soft tissue deformity

“…It is also not yet clear whether the age, sex or body mass index of the patient affects CAL therapeutic potential (46). Worldwide clinical use of ASCs and CAL has dramatically increased in parallel to questions concerning the safety and efficacy of CAL treatments (47). Well-controlled clinical studies are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the clinical CAL methods that have been widely used for facial treatments in humans (48).…”