| abstract |
The present invention provides adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs}, adipose-derived stem cell-enriched fractions (ADSC-EF} and adipose-derivedlattices, alone and combined with the ADSCs of the invention. In one aspect, the present invention provides an ADSC substantially free of adipocytes and red blood cells and clonal populations of connective tissue stem cells. The ADSCs can be employed, alone or within biologically-compatible compositions, to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the ADSCs can be expanded and cultured to produce molecules such as hormones, and to provide conditioned culture media for supporting the gro∩ and expansion of other cell populations. In another aspect, the present invention provides a adipose-derived lattice substantially devoid of cells, which includes extracellular matrix material from adipose tissue. The lattice can be used as a substrate to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells, whether in vivo or in vitro, into anlagen or even mature tissues or structures. |