ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Currently, mesenchymal stem cells have been widely explored and applied in scientific research field, and many studies suggest that the underlying mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells mainly relies on its exosomes. OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify human adipose-derived stem cells and its exosomes, and to identify their biological characteristics. METHODS: Human adipose tissue was digested with collagenase l, and adipose-derived stem cells were isolated and purified. Immunophenotype, osteogenic and adipogenic abilities of adipose-derived stem cells were identified. Exosomes were isolated by using ultrafiltration method. Morphology of exosomes was observed by Nanosight and electron microscope. Expression of proteins in exosomes was detected by antibody array method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Adipose-derived stem cells exhibited long spindle-like or fibroblast-like appearance, expressed CD73, CD44, CD90, CD105 and had the potential to differentiate into many tissues, including bone and adipose tissues. The exosomes had the similar size, with the diameter of 30-150 nm. They possessed many proteins including FLOT1, ICAM, ALIX, CD81, CD63, ANXA5, TSG101, and so on. Findings from the present study indicate the successful isolation of exosomes from human adipose-derived stem cells.