Adipose-derived stem cells' ability to differentiate along multiple lineage pathways, combined with their accessibility and self-renewing capabilities, make ASCs a platform for the future of medicine. .
Ever since their discovery, stem cells have been a focal point in regenerative medicine. In 1963, Canadian scientists Ernest McCulloch and James Till discovered a self-renewing cell found in the bone marrow of mice. The late 60's brought about the discovery of mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow by Friedenstein. It was not until 1978 that similar cells were found in human umbilical cord blood and named hematopoietic stem cells.iv Until 2001, stem cells were believed to be limited to hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. However, phenomena like progressive osseous heteroplasia evidenced otherwise. The condition, usually in children, causes the formation of ectopic bone within subcutaneous adipose tissue as seen in this picture. Analyzing the chunks of hard bone strewn among fat tissue, the presence of osteoblasts (bone producing cells) can be detected.v Since normal osteoblasts are permanently embedded into naturally occurring bones, the osteoblasts found in the adipose tissue must have formed there on their own. Future research would reveal that the genetic disorder causes stem cells in the subcutaneous fat to differentiate into osteoblasts. In 2001, a team of researchers from the University of California Los Angeles Regenerative Bioengineering Laboratory proved that adipose tissue is a source for stem cells.4 The list of uses of adipose-derived stem cells has grown exponentially in the years since. Applications in the veterinary field have in many aspects passed human application. One reason for this unusual fact is that the Food and Drug Administration has many restrictions on the use of stem cell treatments for humans. In addition, racehorses, many of which are extremely expensive and prone to tendon injuries, are popular candidates for treatment.