Subcutaneous adipocytes may become osteoblasts

Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2012 Jan;9(1):28-30. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

Commonly, mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSCs) are mainly utilized in regenerative medicine field. BMSCs are able to differentiate into several lineages, showing immunosuppressive properties, and they are genetically stable in long-term cultures. In the last years, another mesenchymal stem cells population, obtained from adipose tissue, defined adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs), it is under assessment of scientific research, as alternative to BMSCs. In fact, ASCs show similar capacity to BMSCs, but unlike BMSCs can be harvested more easily with an higher yield and with less invasive manipulation. In this review the abilities of ASCs to differentiate in osteoblasts cells are shown.

Keywords: adipose tissue; adipose-derived stem/stromal cells; osteoblast; osteogenic differentiation.