Multipotent adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) can
be isolated with high yield from human subcutaneous lipoaspirates.
This study reports our experience isolating, expanding,
differentiating and immunophenotypically characterizing
ASCs over a period of 4 days after having surgically
obtained the lipoaspirate samples. The ultimate goal is
to understand how to optimize the consistent isolation of
ASCs from lipoaspirates. The length of time between adipose
tissue harvest and processing will need to be systematically
evaluated with respect to cell yield, viability, and
function since some distance is likely to exist between the
plastic surgeon’s office where lipoaspiration is performed
and the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) laboratory
where the ASCs are isolated. The objective of this
study was to determine the effect of time delays on the yield
and function of ASCs after collagenase digestion.