Enzyme-Free Isolation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a population of multipotent cells that can be isolated from various adult and fetal tissues, including adipose tissue. These cells contain enormous clinical and basic research appeal due to their plasticity to differentiate into cells of all germ layers in vitro, cross allogeneic barriers in vivo, and suppress inflammation. Methods to isolate adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) primarily rely on enzymatic digestion of the adipose tissue using harsh enzymes such as collagenase. However, these harsh enzymes are expensive and can have detrimental effects on the ADSCs, including risks of using xenograft components in clinical application. This chapter focuses on methods of isolating ADSCs from adipose tissue without enzymatic digestion.