The Relation between Human Characteristics with the Angiogenic and Proliferative Potential of the Stromal Vascular Cells obtained from Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Background: Adipose depots contain Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) cells that are considered highly angiogenic. This is of great significance in tissue regeneration, since this process depends on a rapid perfusion by blood vessels. Therefore, it becomes important to investigate if different human characteristics affect the SVF subpopulations, in order to find which features can be associated with higher proliferative and angiogenic properties. This would allow the surgeons to know in advance if the patient is a suitable candidate for the use of adipose tissue in cases of tissue regeneration. This study aims to investigate if age, BMI, ex-obesity and harvest site influence the SVF cells expressing the markers CD31, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90 and CD105. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Human adipose tissue samples were collected from 28 patients. Flow cytometry analysis were performed in order to characterize cell subpopulations. Results: Age, BMI and harvest site did not significantly affect the SVF subpopulations. Ex-obese patients - a new variable not yet studied in the literature - had a higher number of cells expressing CD90. Conclusions: The use of SVF is promising in older patients because age does not appear to influence the number of SVF cells. Moreover, ex-obese patients have more cells expressing CD90, a marker correlated with higher proliferative and angiogenic rates. The ex-obesity effect on the expression of CD90 is a new and important finding of this study because it makes this subpopulation a good candidate for the use of adipose depots in regenerative medicine.