biostudies-literatureUnknown13Berzins UYounger, replicative cells with longer telomeres can enhance regenerative therapies, however, there is a lack of a standard method to assess telomere length in live cells. The present study investigated whether the relative size of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) can influence their telomere length. During early culture, a smaller-sized AD-MSC subpopulation was identified based on characteristic colony emergence. Telomere lengths in total and smaller-sized cell populations were measured. Polymerase chain reaction revealed expression of Nanog and OCT3/4 in small-sized AD-MSCs. Their safety was evaluated in immunodeficient BALB/c nude mice. Smaller AD-MSCs revealed distinct growth properties, with the cell monolayer rolling up into a large aggregate. These cells had longer telomeres (18,121.43 base pairs [bp]) than the total population (15,870.44 bp) and formed teratoma-like structures with skin-like morphology (including hair). In conclusion, AD-MSC size reliably isolates cells with longer telomeres and potential.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology1687461https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12823908biostudies-literatureSmall adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit longer telomeres and enhanced regenerative potential.PMC12823908Baronins JGoel SRautmane ASorokins HBerzins UShishkin AZvirgzdina RMinchev DfalseSmall adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit longer telomeres and enhanced regenerative potential.Younger, replicative cells with longer telomeres can enhance regenerative therapies, however, there is a lack of a standard method to assess telomere length in live cells. The present study investigated whether the relative size of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) can influence their telomere length. During early culture, a smaller-sized AD-MSC subpopulation was identified based on characteristic colony emergence. Telomere lengths in total and smaller-sized cell populations were measured. Polymerase chain reaction revealed expression of Nanog and OCT3/4 in small-sized AD-MSCs. Their safety was evaluated in immunodeficient BALB/c nude mice. Smaller AD-MSCs revealed distinct growth properties, with the cell monolayer rolling up into a large aggregate. These cells had longer telomeres (18,121.43 base pairs [bp]) than the total population (15,870.44 bp) and formed teratoma-like structures with skin-like morphology (including hair). In conclusion, AD-MSC size reliably isolates cells with longer telomeres and potential.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-06-06T03:19:03.21Z2026-06-06T03:10:26.22ZS-EPMC128239084158295110.3389/fbioe.2025.1687461