Isolation, Characterization, and Differentiation Potential of Canine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Adipose tissue may represent a potential source of adult stem cells for tissue engineering applications in veterinary medicine. It can be obtained in large quantities, under local anesthesia, and with minimal discomfort. In this study, canine adipose tissue was obtained by biopsy from subcutaneous adipose tissue or by suction-assisted lipectomy (i.e., liposuction). Adipose tissue was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells similar to human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). These canine adipose-derived stem cells (cASCs) can be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling and low levels of senescence. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry show that the majority of cASCs are of mesodermal or mesenchymal origin. cASCs are able to differentiate in vitro into adipogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic, and osteogenic cells in the presence of lineage-specific induction factors. In conclusion, like human lipoaspirate, canine adipose tissue may also contain multipotent cells and represent an important stem cell source both for veterinary cell therapy as well as preclinical studies.

FAPESP-CEPID (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo-Centro de Pesquisa, Inovacao e Difusao)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico)

INCT (Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia: celulas-tronco em doencas geneticas)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)