It is known that c-kit(+) cells are increased in heart after infarction. The exact origins of the cardiac c-kit+ cells remain to be determined. We asked whether adipose tissue could be a potential source of c-kit+ cells. Our data show that the number of c-kit(+) cells increased in adipose tissue derived stem cells when cultured with conditioned medium from neonatal cardiomyocytes grown under serum deprivation and hypoxia condition. We also found that VEGF receptor Flk-1 is involved in c-kit up regulation via ERK-mediated pathway. (c) 2007 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.