Understanding How Fat Processing Methods Affect Healing Potential
Bianca Vezzani, Isaac Shaw, Hanna Lesme, Li Yong, Nusrat Khan, Carlo Tremolada, Bruno Péault · Stem Cells Translational Medicine · 2018
Mechanical processing preserves more healing cells than enzymes
When doctors want to use your own fat tissue for healing, they have different ways to prepare it. This laboratory study compared two methods: the Lipogems® system (which gently breaks fat into tiny clusters using physical processing) versus enzyme digestion (which chemically dissolves fat into individual cells).
The researchers found that the Lipogems® method preserved significantly more pericytes—specialized cells wrapped around blood vessels that play a key role in tissue repair. These pericytes are considered the body's natural healing cells and are closely related to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Keeping fat's natural structure dramatically boosts healing signals
One of the most striking findings involved measuring the healing substances released by processed fat tissue. When researchers cultured both types of preparations and measured what they released, the results were dramatic.
Micro-fragmented adipose tissue (fat processed with Lipogems®) released many more growth factors and cytokines compared to enzyme-processed fat. These healing molecules are responsible for:
Promoting new blood vessel formation
Reducing inflammation
Supporting tissue repair and regeneration
The "perivascular niche" explains superior healing results
The study identified why keeping fat's micro-structure intact matters so much. In your body, regenerative cells don't exist in isolation. They live in a specialized environment called the "perivascular niche"—essentially a protective neighborhood surrounding blood vessels.
When enzymes dissolve fat tissue, this delicate neighborhood gets destroyed. The Lipogems® process, by contrast, keeps these tiny structures largely intact. The researchers suggest this preserved architecture allows healing cells to function as nature intended.
Lab findings align with real-world treatment success
While this was a laboratory study (not a clinical trial with patients), the findings help explain something doctors have observed clinically. Patients treated with micro-fragmented fat often experience remarkable healing outcomes across diverse conditions—from arthritic joints to wound healing.
The researchers concluded that the therapeutic superiority seen with micro-fragmented adipose tissue likely results from maintaining the intact perivascular niche. This preservation allows for optimal secretion of regenerative factors that drive healing.
What this means if you're considering treatment
This study provides important biological evidence for understanding how Lipogems® works at the cellular level. Key takeaways include:
Your own tissue: Lipogems® uses autologous fat (from your own body), eliminating concerns about donor rejection
Minimal processing: The gentle mechanical method avoids harsh chemicals that may damage healing cells
Preserved function: Keeping fat's natural structure intact appears to maintain superior regenerative potential
Scientific foundation: This research helps explain the positive clinical outcomes reported in over 105,000 orthopedic cases worldwide
If you're exploring regenerative medicine options, this laboratory evidence supports the biological rationale behind micro-fragmented adipose tissue technology. Discuss with your healthcare provider whether Lipogems® might be appropriate for your specific condition.
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Source: Vezzani et al., Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 2018.
Original Publication
Higher Pericyte Content and Secretory Activity of Microfragmented Human Adipose Tissue Compared to Enzymatically Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction
Bianca Vezzani, Isaac Shaw, Hanna Lesme, Li Yong, Nusrat Khan, Carlo Tremolada, Bruno Péault · Stem Cells Translational Medicine · 2018
Autologous adipose tissue is used for tissue repletion and regeneration as intact lipoaspirate or as enzymatically derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which may be cultured into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Alternatively, transplantation of autologous adipose tissue mechanically fragmented into submillimeter clusters has recently shown remarkable therapeutic efficacy in diverse indications. To document the biologic basis of the regenerative potential of microfragmented adipose tissue, we first analyzed the distribution of perivascular presumptive MSCs in adipose tissue processed with the Lipogems technology, observing significant enrichment in pericytes, at the expense of adventitial cells, compared to isogenic enzymatically processed lipoaspirates. Since the importance of MSCs as trophic and immunomodulatory cells is attributed to secretion of specific factors, we investigated protein secretion by cultured adipose tissue clusters or enzymatically derived SVF using secretome arrays. In culture, microfragmented adipose tissue releases significantly more growth factors and cytokines involved in tissue repair and regeneration, notably via angiogenesis, compared to isogenic SVF. Therefore, we suggest that the efficient tissue repair and regeneration observed after transplantation of microfragmented adipose tissue is due to the secretory ability of the intact perivascular niche. These findings likely explain the therapeutic superiority of microfragmented adipose tissue and suggest it should be preferred to routinely used, enzymatically produced single-cell suspensions.