Adipose Tissue
Adipose tissue is a heterogeneous biological tissue composed of various cellular components; it provides clinicians with a stem-cell-rich product in the form of a 3D scaffold.1,2
The Composition of Adipose Tissue3
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
Endothelial cells
Pericytes
Pre-adipocytes
Adipocytes
Hematopoietic-lineage cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)4
Capable of differentiating into many different cell types responsible for the repair or growth of bone, cartilage, muscle, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue.
Endothelial cells
Structural components of blood vessels. They are also key players in angiogenesis (vascular cell growth).
Pericytes
Wrap around the endothelial cells of capillaries and blood vessels. They play a critical role in supporting the survival of endothelial cells and the overall process of angiogenesis.
Pre-adipocytes
Progenitor cells that are able to adopt the adipocyte cell fate.
Adipocytes
Store lipids to provide energy.
Hematopoietic-lineage cells
Includes red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
INFOGRAPHIC: The Power of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AD-MSCs)
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The Benefits of Concentrating
Concentrated adipose tissue provides a physical scaffold of multiple cellular components. The benefits of concentrated adipose tissue include a high concentration of MSCs and a minimally invasive process for the removal and collection of stem cells (compared to the removal of bone marrow).
Removal of Excess Infranatant Fluid
Excess infranatant fluid in a graft sample makes it challenging to estimate an accurate graft volume for a procedure, because this fluid is resorbed by the body. In an attempt to account for resorption, physicians typically overfill the treatment site with lipoaspirate, resulting in increased swelling and an undesirable initial aesthetic result.5,6 Removal of excess fluid can minimize the need for overfilling and offer a more predictable aesthetic outcome.7
Removal of Excess Oils and Lipids
Oils, lipids and cellular debris that are present in lipoaspirate may cause an inflammatory response that prolongs graft healing and can prove toxic to the cellular components of the graft itself. Removal of these materials may promote graft survival.5,7
Adipose Tissue Is Getting Noticed
After the recent discovery of adipose tissue's stem-cell-rich nature, concentrated adipose tissue is being used in orthopedic applications for osteoarthritis.8,9
1Gimble JM, Katz AJ, Bunnell BA. Adipose-derived stem cells for regenerative medicine. Circ Res. 2007;100(9):1249-1260.
2Bourin P, Bunnell BA, Casteilla L, et al. Stromal cells from the adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction and culture expanded adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells: a joint statement of the International Federation for Adipose
Therapeutics and Science (IFATS) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). Cytotherapy. 2013;15(6):641-648.
3SundarRaj S, Deshmukh A, Priya N, Krishnan VS, Cherat M, Majumdar AS. Development of a system and method for automated isolation of stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue lipoaspirate. Stem Cells Int. 2015. 2015;109353.
4Caplan A. Mesenchymal stem cells: the past, the present, the future. Cartilage. 2009;1(1):6-9.
5Hoareau L, Bencharif K, Girard A, et al. Effect of centrifugation and washing on adipose graft viability: a new method to improve graft efficiency. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013;66(5):712·719.
6Sadati K, Alexander R, Corrado A. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) utilized to promote greater graft volume retention in autologous fat grafting. Am J Cosmet Surg. 2006;23(4):203-211.
7Alexander R, Harrell D. Autologous fat grafting: use of closed syringe microcannula system for enhanced autologous structural grafting. Clin Cosmet Investing Dermatol. 2013;6:91-102.
8Russo A, Condello V, Madonna V, Guerriero M, Zorzi C. Autologous and micro-fragmented adipose tissue for the treatment of diffuse degenerative knee osteoarthritis. J Exp Orthop. 2017;4:33.
9Moshref SS, Jamal YS, Al-Hibshi AM, Kaki AM. Intra-articular injection of autologous fat graft for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Life Sci J. 2017;14(4):30-35.
Risk Information: These procedures require needle access, possibly resulting in discomfort, tenderness, bruising, swelling, bleeding or pain at the access site, at which there is a small risk of infection. Lightheadedness, fainting, nausea or vomiting may occur. Before any medical procedure, review prescription and nonprescription medications and any natural or herbal remedies your patient is taking or plans to take.