The Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is a cell population that can be isolated from adipose tissue. In SVF, you can find stem cells, pericytes, endothelial cells (i.e., those that cover the inner surface of blood vessels), adipocytes, fibroblasts, and cells of the immune system.
The stem cells of the stromal-vascular fraction, which have long had a prominent role in the field of regenerative medicine, are undifferentiated multipotent adult cells (mesenchymal stem cells - MSC), which can differentiate into different cell types and thus rebuild numerous damaged tissues. These cells have similar properties to the stem cells extracted from the bone marrow, the extraction of which requires, however, invasive and difficult procedures for the patient.
Stem cells are capable of extensive self-renewal and expansion and have the potential to differentiate into any type of somatic tissue. They can be used in regenerative medicine, reconstructive surgery, and tissue bioengineering and can be derived from a range of tissues. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are derived from human embryos from couples that have undergone in vitro fertilization — raising ethical concerns regarding their use. In addition, there is a concern of rejection reactions in non-related donors.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are derived from modified differentiated adult somatic cells and have the same properties as ESC. They are more acceptable since they are not derived from human embryos but involve major genetic modifications in in vitro conditions before they can be used for research and clinical applications.
Autologous adult stem cells are immunocompatible, and there are no ethical concerns related to their use. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which have similar characteristics to bone marrow derived MSC, are nonhematopoietic cells, which originate from mesoderm and are present in various postnatal organs and connective tissues, including: trabecular bone, periosteum, synovial membrane, skeletal muscle, skin, pericytes, peripheral blood, deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament, and umbilical cord. Adult stem cells derived from these tissues would require ex vivo expansion or manipulation before they could be used clinically, since their quantity in the mentioned tissues is low. It has been found that multipotent stem cells within adipose tissue, termed adipose-derived stem cells, are one of the most promising stem cell populations identified thus far, since human adipose tissue can be easily harvested through liposuction with only minimal patient discomfort. Therefore, the use of autologous ASC has been shown to be safe and efficacious in preclinical and clinical studies. To date, a number of scientific papers on ASC biology and their use in regenerative medicine have been published, and their efficacy has been determined in several clinical trials.
The preservation of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) offers a unique source of stem cells that is affordable and very easy to extract.
With a small amount of adipose tissue, it is possible to isolate a very good amount of cells that can be used and stored for various immediate and future medical applications.
The cells present in the SVF are increasingly being used in the field of aesthetic medicine because they represent a therapeutic strategy for skin rejuvenation, scar repair, elimination of wrinkles and of stretch marks. These are just a few of the effective treatments that an increasing number of men and women are using from their adipose tissue-derived stem cells to improve their appearance.
The future of the SVF cells is certainly in regenerative medicine and the applications in this field are numerous and include, for example, treatments for the regeneration of damaged tissues, such as ulcers caused by diabetes or radiotherapy. Mesenchymal stem cells, the most abundant population present in the SVF, are being used in clinical trials for the reconstruction of cartilage, bones and tendons, which will be used in the immediate future for sports injuries and post-traumatic and post-surgical injuries.