Stem Cells From Fat?

(click photo to enlarge)
The San Diego Union-Tribune profiles

Cytori Therapeutics

, a local company that "... has developed a machine that pulls stem cells and other regenerative cells out of fat so they can be re-injected into the body to repair tissue damaged by heart attack or disease."

Adipose, also known as fat tissue, is the richest and most accessible known source of stem cells. It contains a specialized class of stem cells comprised of multiple cell types that promote healing and repair. Adipose stem cells have been shown to differentiate into multiple cell types, including muscle cells (heart, smooth and skeletal) bone, fat, cartilage and nerve. Beyond differentiation, regenerative cells may provide therapeutic benefit through the release of growth factors and other therapeutic healing mechanisms.
The major advantages of adipose tissue as a source of regenerative cells, which distinguish it from alternative cell sources, include:

- Yield: A therapeutic dose of regenerative cells can be isolated in approximately one hour without cell culture

- Safety: Patients receive their own cells (autologous-use) so there is no risk of immune rejection or disease transmission

- Versatility: Stem cells from adipose tissue impart benefit from multiple mechanisms-of-action

The Celution™ System is being designed to automate the proprietary process and methods for extracting and purifying a high yield of stem cells. Cytori's goal is to introduce the first system that can enable real-time, cellular therapy at the bedside. The process in which the patient's cells are extracted, processed and delivered is diagramed below.