A recent study published in the journal "Stem Cells Translational Medicine" seems to indicate that adipose-derived stem cells are more potent than bone marrow derived cells when comparing how they each modulate the immune system.
Functionally, both cell types responded similarly. They each had the capacity to differentiate toward both osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. In terms of the immune system response, both had similar surface marker expression. However, the adipose-derived stem cells showed a significantly higher level of suppression of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation when used in equal numbers. Approximately three times the number of bone marrow derived stem cells were necessary to get the same suppressive effect.
This effect appears to be related to a decrease in inflammatory cytokines and an increase in certain anti-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are immunomodulating agents, such as interleukins and interferons.
This marks a significant finding in using stem cells for therapeutic applications. The frequency of stem cells in bone marrow is comparatively low, with stem cells accounting for only 0.001% - 0.01% of the total mononuclear cell fraction. Also, bone marrow aspiration is relatively invasive. Adipose tissue, however, contains approximately 500-fold greater frequency of stem cells, and collection via lipoaspiration is simple and easily tolerated.
The study also showed that adipose cells secrete higher levels of a multitude of cytokines that have been implicated in how stem cells modulate our immune systems.
Because of these many factors, adipose-derived stem cells appear to be a much better choice for cell-based therapies.
-from Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2013;2:455-463
