Molecular analysis and differentiation capacity of adipose-derived stem cells from lymphedema tissue.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many breast cancer patients are plagued by the disabling complication of upper limb lymphedema after axillary surgery. Conservative treatments using massage and compression therapy do not offer a lasting relief, as they fail to address the chronic transformation of edema into excess adipose tissue. Liposuction to address the adipose nature of the lymphedema has provided an opportunity for a detailed analysis of the stromal fraction of lymphedema-associated fat to clarify the molecular mechanisms for this adipogenic transformation.

Methods

Adipose-derived stem cells were harvested from human lipoaspirate of the upper extremity from age-matched patients with lymphedema (n = 3) or subcutaneous adipose tissue from control patients undergoing cosmetic procedures (n = 3

SUBMITTER: Levi B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4447496 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature