The influence of biomimetic conditions on neurogenic and neuroprotective properties of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs)

In the era of a constantly growing number of reports on the therapeutic properties of dedifferentiated, ontogenetically rejuvenated cells and their use in the treatment of neurological diseases, the optimization of their derivation and long-term culture methods seem to be crucial. One of the solutions is seen in the use of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) which are characterized by a greater homogeneity. Moreover, these cells seem to possess a higher expression of transcriptional factors necessary to maintain pluripotency (STRFs) as well as a greater ability to differentiate in vitro into three embryonic germ layers, and a high proliferative potential in comparison to adipose stem/stromal cells (ASCs). However, the neurogenic and neuroprotective potential of DFATs is still insufficiently understood, hence our research goal is to contribute to our current knowledge of the subject. To recreate the brain's physiological (biomimetic) conditions, the cells were cultured at 5% oxygen concentration. The neural differentiation capacity of DFATs was assessed in the presence of the N21 supplement containing the factors that are typically found in the natural environment of the neural cell niche or in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and under various spatial conditions (microprinting). The neuroprotective properties of DFATs were assessed using the co-culture method with the ischemically damaged nerve tissue.