The isolation and differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells using membrane filtration

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were purified from a suspension of human adipose tissue cells (stromal vascular fraction) by the conventional culture method and by membrane filtration through polyurethane (PU) foam membranes. hADSCs can be obtained from a suspension of human adipose tissue cells using the membrane filtration method in less than 30 min, whereas the conventional culture method requires 5–12 days. hADSCs that express the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD44, CD73, and CD90 were concentrated in the recovery solution from the PU membranes; no hADSCs were isolated in the permeate. After filtration, the cells expressing the mesenchymal stem cell markers were 3–4.5 times more concentrated than in the initial suspension of human adipose tissue cells, with the level of concentration depending on the surface modification of the PU membrane. Cells expressing the stem cell-associated marker CD34 could be successfully isolated in the recovery solutions, whereas CD34+ cells could not be purified by the conventional culture method. The hADSCs in the recovery solution demonstrated a superior capacity for osteogenic differentiation than did the cells in the suspension of human adipose tissue cells. These results suggested that the hADSCs with the capability for osteogenic differentiation adhered to the PU membranes.