Culture Adipose Derived Stem Cells from Sprague-Dawley Rat and Its Osteogenic Differentiation Potential in vitro

Objective To study the method of isolating and culturing stem cells from rat adipose tissue and to determine if adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs) harvested from rat could differentiate into osteogenic in vitro.Methods ADSCs were isolated from rat inguinal fat pads after digestion with collagenase.After primary culture in control medium and expansion to two passages,the cells were incubated in induced medium for 2～4 weeks to induce osteogenesis.Osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining.Expression of osteocyte specific genes were confirmed by RT-PCR.Results ADSCs were able to be isolated from rat adipose tissue and,be expanded rapidly.ADSCs induced to osteogenesis were identified positively by using alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining.Expression of osteocyte specific genes,such as ALP,osteopontin,osteocalcin,was detected.Conclusion Adipose-derived stem cells can be isolated from the rat adipose tissue,their biological characteristics are similar with those of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),and they have the potential capability to differentiate into osteogenic lineage.It may be an idea source of ADSCs for tissue engineering.