Multilineage cells from adipose tissue as gene delivery vehicles

We have characterized a population of mesenchymal progenitor cells from adipose tissue, termed processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells, which have multilineage potential similar to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and are also easily expanded in culture. The primary benefit of using adipose tissue as a source of multilineage progenitor cells is its relative abundance and ease of procurement. We examined the infection of PLA cells with adenoviral, oncoretroviral, and lentiviral vectors. We demonstrate that PLA cells can be transduced with lentiviral vectors at high efficiency. PLA cells maintain transgene expression after differentiation into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages after lentiviral transduction. Therefore, PLA cells and lentiviral vectors may be an efficient combination for use as a therapeutic gene delivery vehicle.