Extracellular matrix substrata alter adipocyte yield and lipogenesis in primary cultures of stromal-vascular cells from human adipose

The stromal-vascular fraction of human adipose was subjected to in vitro adipogenesis on different extracellular matrix substrata. Adipose tissue was harvested from the breast of 25 to 45 year-old female patients undergoing elective surgery. After 24 d, less than 5% of stromal-vascular cells had converted to adipocytes on fibronectin, 13% to 28% on tissue culture plastic and collagen I; and 59% ± 7% on Matrigel. Lipid volume surpassed 4.5 x 10³ μm³ cell^-1 for Matrigel and was 30% lower for the other substrata. Cell proliferation was evident for Matrigel and fibronectin, and cell spreading was most pronounced for fibronectin with a projected area exceeding 3 x 10³ μm² cell ^-1. These results are relevant to the design of an adipose implant, providing insight into its feasibility and scaffold composition.