Resumen:
Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are an appealing source of cells for therapeutic intervention;
however, the environment from which ASCs are isolated may impact their usefulness.
Using a range of functional assays, we have evaluated whether ASCs isolated from an
obese environment are comparable to cells from non-obese adipose tissue. Results
showed that ASCs isolated from obese tissue have a reduced proliferative ability and a loss
of viability together with changes in telomerase activity and DNA telomere length, suggesting
a decreased self-renewal capacity. Metabolic analysis demonstrated that mitochondrial
content and function was impaired in obese-derived ASCs resulting in changes in favored
oxidative substrates. These findings highlight the impact of obesity on adult stem properties.
Hence, caution should be exercised when considering the source of ASCs for cellular therapies
since their therapeutic potential may be impaired.