Fat Supplies Stem Cells

Applied Genetics News,  Feb, 2001  

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Artecel Sciences (4819 Emperor Blvd., 4th Fl., Durham, NC 27703) has found a use for fat, other than for making soap. At the Pluripotent Stem Cells Conference (Durango, CO), the company presented in vitro proof-of-principle studies demonstrating the utility of adipose tissue as a source of human cells for four potential clinical applications: soft tissue cosmesis (cosmetic injections of fat), hematopoietic support in bone marrow transplantation, and repair of bone and cartilage. Studies conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center and founding scientists at Artecel show that adipose-derived stromal cells can be manipulated to differentiate into cells resembling adipocytes (mature fat cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), or osteoblasts (bone cells). The isolated stromal cells are also capable of supporting blood cell formation by hematopoietic stem cells.

"Stromal cells from fat are clearly multipotent, with the capacity to differentiate into a wide variety of cell types, including fat, bone, and cartilage," says Jeff Gimble, vice president of tissue engineering at Artecel. "These findings open up a broad array of potential clinical applications."

"Human adipose tissue offers practical advantages due to the abundant supply and potential to provide multipotent stromal cells," adds Farshil Guilak, director of orthopedic research at Duke.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Business Communications Company, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group