A novel composition for the culture of human adipose stem cells which includes complement C3.

Adipose tissue is an easily accessible and abundant source of stem cells. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are currently being researched as treatment options for repair and regeneration of damaged tissues. The standard culture conditions used for expansion of ASCs contain fetal bovine serum (FBS) which is undefined, could transmit known and unknown adventitious agents, and may cause adverse immune reactions.

Feridex labeling of mesenchymal stem cells inhibits chondrogenesis but not adipogenesis or osteogenesis.

Magnetic resonance (MR) tracking of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled cells is a relatively new technique to non-invasively determine the biodistribution and migration of transplanted stem cells. A number of studies have recently reported encouraging results in the use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for repair of a variety of tissues. For MR tracking of SPIO-labeled MSCs, it is important to determine the effect that the magnetic labeling procedure may have on the differentiation capacity of labeled MSCs.