Molecular analysis of Spheroids from Adipose-derived Stem Cells (S-ASCs) during in vitro long-term culture.

Introduction: Adhesion-based culture conditions have been the standard for in vitro expansion of ASCs. However, stem cells from different organs may grow in suspension as spheroids. Spheroids from Adipose Stem Cells (S-ASCs) seem to represent an upstream stage of adherent ASCs (aASCs) that enter an early differentiation pathway leading to their adhesion. Molecular profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs were used between aASCs and S-ASCs to investigate our hypothesis. Methods: Lipoaspirate samples were processed for the extraction of S-ASCs. The miRNAs and mRNAs profile were analyzed using Taqman Assay in S-ASCs and aASCs. Statistically significant changes are considered up/down-regulation of miRNA expression higher than 2 folds compared to control (p