Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Human Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells and Their Subsets by a High Throughput Technology

The characterization of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) remains difficult due to the lack of a definitive and unique cellular marker. Therefore, a combination of markers is necessary to identify the cells. No comprehensive analysis of the immunophenotype of expanded plastic adherent ASCs has been published. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the general phenotype of cultured ASCs and to further analyze cellular subsets. ASCs were isolated from lipoaspirates from patients undergoing cosmetic liposuction and cultured in standard cell culture. A comprehensive phenotype characterization was done with the BD Lyoplate (TM) Human Cell Surface Marker Screening Panel containing 242 antibodies and isotype controls. Cultured ASCs not only showed the characteristic expression profile of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but also revealed donor-specific variability in the expression of 49 other markers. We further detected markers with a scattering in the fluorescence intensity, indicating subpopulations with different expression profiles. Therefore, a multi-color flow cytometric analysis was done after staining the cells with direct-labeled antibodies against CD73, CD90, CD105, and either CD34, CD140b, CD200, CD201, or CD36 to verify the selected subpopulations of ASCs. We detected no CD34-CD36 double-positive population, but CD34(+)-CD36(-) and CD34(-)CD36(+) subpopulations, both of which are positive for the 3 main MSC markers, CD73, CD90, and CD105. All other detected subpopulations also co-expressed the 3 main MSC markers, and therefore fulfill the minimal phenotypic criteria for the definition of cultured MSCs. Our study demonstrates the first comprehensive phenotypic characterization of ASCs and clearly highlights donor-specific variability in ASC preparations.