The present invention provides adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs),
adipose-derived stem cell-enriched fractions (ADSC-EF) and
adipose-derived lattices, alone and combined with the ADSCs of the
invention. In one aspect, the present invention provides an ADSC
substantially free of adipocytes and red blood cells and clonal
populations of connective tissue stem cells. The ADSCs can be employed,
alone or within biologically-compatible compositions, to generate
differentiated tissues and structures, both in vivo and in vitro.
Additionally, the ADSCs can be expanded and cultured to produce molecules
such as hormones, and to provide conditioned culture media for supporting
the growth and expansion of other cell populations. In another aspect,
the present invention provides an adipose-derived lattice substantially
devoid of cells, which includes extracellular matrix material from
adipose tissue. The lattice can be used as a substrate to facilitate the
growth and differentiation of cells, whether in vivo or in vitro, into
anlagen or even mature tissues or structures.