Stem cells collected from human fat may have the potential for use in anti-ageing treatments, as they are more stable than fibroblasts from the skin, scientists have found.
Researchers developed a new model to study chronological ageing of fat cells.
Chronological ageing shows the natural life cycle of the cells - as opposed to cells that have been unnaturally replicated multiple times or otherwise manipulated in a lab.
In order to preserve the cells in their natural state, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the US developed a system to collect and store them without manipulating them, making them available for this study.
They found stem cells collected directly from human fat - called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) - can make more proteins than originally thought.
This gives them the ability to replicate and maintain their stability, a finding that held true in cells collected from patients of all ages.
"Our study shows these cells are very robust, even when they are collected from older patients," said Ivona Percec, from University of Pennsylvania.
"It also shows these cells can be potentially used safely in the future, because they require minimal manipulation and maintenance," said Percec.
Stem cells are currently used in a variety of anti-ageing treatments and are commonly collected from a variety of tissues.
However, researchers specifically found ASCs to be more stable than other cells, a finding that can potentially open the door to new therapies for the prevention and treatment of ageing-related diseases.
"Unlike other adult human stem cells, the rate at which these ASCs multiply stays consistent with age," Percec said.
"That means these cells could be far more stable and helpful as we continue to study natural ageing," he said.
The research was published in the journal Stem Cells.
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