Human mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue: DiVerentiation into hepatic lineage

Abstract Adipose tissue represents an accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs), with similar characteristics to bone marrow-derived stem cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the transdiVerentiation of ADSCs into hepatic lineage cells in vitro . ADSCswere obtained from human adipose tissue from lipectomy. Cells were grown in medium containing 15% AB human serum. Cultures wereserum deprived for two days and exposed to a two-step protocol with two diVerent media using growth factors and cytokines. HepaticdiVerentiation was assessed by RT-PCR of liver-marker genes. ADSCs exhibited a Wbroblastic morphology that changed to a cuboidalshape when cells di Verentiated. Expression of liver genes increased when using one of the two studied media consisting of DMEM supple-mented with HGF, bFGF and nicotinamide for 14 days. The results indicate that, under certain speciWc inducing conditions, ADSCs canbe induced to di Verentiate into hepatic lineage in vitro. Adipose tissue may be an ideal source of high amounts of autologous stem cells.© 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.