Comparison of mouse, rat and rabbit models for adipose - Derived stem cells (ASC) research.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Cellular therapies are becoming more popular and there is a big demand for suitable animal model for research in field of tissue engineering. Both the small (rodents) and large animals have their advantages for cellular therapy experiments. Appropriate animal research model would be a bridge between basic research and clinical medicine. The aim of this study was to compare mouse, rat and rabbit as animal models useful for adipose - derived stem cell research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantity, phenotype, clonogenic and differentiation potential of cells isolated from different localizations of adipose tissue from WAG and LEW/W rat strains, rabbit and mouse were analysed. RESULTS: The highest number of cells from 1 g of tissue were isolated from cervical white fat of LEW/W rat. ASCs isolated from rat had also the highest clonogenic potential. Phenotype and capability to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages are at the same level for rat and rabbit. CONCLUSIONS: Rat as a research model can be a rational solution between large animal models and typical laboratory mice because of their size, genetic homogenity, availability of genetically modified stains and possibility to perform research mimicking clinical applications.