Myogenic Differentiation by Human Processed Lipoaspirate Cells

The use of undifferentiated cells for cell-based tissue engineering and regeneration strategies represents a promising approach for skeletal muscle repair. For such strategies to succeed, a readily available source of myogenic precursor cells must be identified. We have previously shown that cells isolated from raw human lipoaspirates, called processed lipoaspirate cells, display multilineage mesodermal potential in vitro. Because human liposuctioned fat is available in large quantities and can be harvested with low morbidity, it may be an ideal source of stem cells for tissue-engineering applications. In this study, processed lipoaspirate cells were isolated from raw lipoaspirates harvested from eight patients who underwent cosmetic surgery. Processed lipoaspirate cells were placed in promyogenic conditions for up to 6 weeks, and the expression of the myogenic markers MyoD1 and myosin heavy chain was confirmed by using structure, histology, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Histologic results were quantitated as an indicator or myogenic differentiation levels. We found that induced human processed lipoaspirate cells form multinucleated cells after 3 weeks of induction, indicative of the formation of myotubes. In addition, MyoD1 and skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain are expressed at distinct time points during differentiation with MyoD1 expression preceding expression of myosin. Finally, approximately 15 percent of human processed lipoaspirate cells can be induced toward myogenic differentiation 6 weeks after induction. In summary, our findings suggest that human processed lipoaspirate cells differentiate into myogenic cells. Furthermore, these cells may be a useful source for skeletal muscle engineering and repair.