Human adipose tissue white and `brown-on-white` progenitors for reconstructive and metabolic therapies

Abstract

Methods for preparation of prospectively identified human adipose stem cells enriched populations thereof, e.g., for therapy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making an isolated, enriched population of Human Adipose Capillary Progenitor Cells (HACAPS), the method comprising:
 providing primary adipose cells or tissue from a subject, and
 (i) culturing the primary cells or tissue in the presence of pro-angiogenic factors sufficient to induce the growth of a population of cells comprising capillary cells, and 
 (ii) isolating single cells from the population of cells to form a population of cells enriched for HACAPS. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pro-angiogenic factors comprise human recombinant FGF-2, VEGF, IGF1 and/or EGF. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating single cells from the capillary cells comprises subjecting the capillary cells to protease digestion to isolate the HACAPS. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the HACAPS in culture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the cells to proliferate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the HACAPS in culture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the cells to differentiate into fat cells. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the HACAPS are cultured in the presence of adenylate cyclase activators, adrenergic agonists, or thyroid hormone to induce differentiation of the HACAPS into brite cells. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         8 . An isolated, enriched population of brite adipose cells made by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . An isolated, enriched population of human adipose capillary progenitor cells (HACAPS) obtained from cultured human adipose tissue capillary networks. 
     
     
         10 . The isolated, enriched population of HACAPS of  claim 9 , wherein the cells are CD73+ cells. 
     
     
         11 . The isolated, enriched population of HACAPS of  claim 9 , wherein the cells are from a human. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a subject who is obese, or has metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes, the method comprising administering to the subject the isolated, enriched population of HACAPS of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject has a BMI of 30 or higher. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the primary adipose cells or tissue are autologous to the subject. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a subject who is obese, or has metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes, the method comprising administering to the subject the isolated, enriched population of brite adipose cells of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject has a BMI of 30 or higher. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the primary adipose cells or tissue are autologous to the subject. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a subject who is in need of adipose tissue reconstruction or regeneration, the method comprising administering to the subject an isolated, enriched population of HACAPS, wherein the cells are administered to the site at which adipose tissue reconstruction or regeneration is desired. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising administering a population of white adipocytes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the subject is in need of facial or breast reconstruction.