p57 is a master regulator of human adipose derived stem cell quiescence and senescence.

Although human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) hold great promises for regenerative medicine, their key biological properties remain poorly understood. In particular, proliferation defects resulted from deep quiescence (dormancy) and senescence represent a major hurdle in hADSC production and clinical application. We have developed a model system for mechanistic dissection of hADSC quiescence and senescence. p57, a major CDK inhibitor, was highly expressed in quiescent and senescent hADSCs but its level quickly declined upon stem cell activation. p57 overexpression induced quiescence in spite of proliferative signals and its knockdown promoted cell cycle reentry even with induction of quiescence presumably through modulating the CDK2-CyclinE1 complex. Given its key role in quiescence and senescence, p57 may be exploited for innovative strategies to amplify hADSCs of high quality for clinics.