Mushtaq A, Choudhery MS, Arif T, Niaz A, Pervaiz A. Maximizing pediatric stem cell harvest: A novel two-step digestion approach for adipose tissue. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(3): 116388 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.116388]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mahmood S Choudhery, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Khayaban-e-Jamia Punjab, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan. ms20031@yahoo.com
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Cell Biology
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Basic Study
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Mar 26, 2026 (publication date) through Mar 28, 2026
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World Journal of Stem Cells
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1948-0210
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Mushtaq A, Choudhery MS, Arif T, Niaz A, Pervaiz A. Maximizing pediatric stem cell harvest: A novel two-step digestion approach for adipose tissue. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(3): 116388 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.116388]
World J Stem Cells. Mar 26, 2026; 18(3): 116388 Published online Mar 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.116388
Maximizing pediatric stem cell harvest: A novel two-step digestion approach for adipose tissue
Asad Mushtaq, Mahmood S Choudhery, Taqdees Arif, Ahmad Niaz, Asim Pervaiz
Asad Mushtaq, Mahmood S Choudhery, Taqdees Arif, Ahmad Niaz, Asim Pervaiz, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Author contributions: Choudhery MS designed the study; Mushtaq A, Arif T, and Niaz A performed the experimental procedures and collected data; Arif T, Niaz A, and Pervaiz A contributed to data analysis and interpretation; Choudhery MS and Pervaiz A supervised the study, provided critical input throughout the research process, and reviewed the manuscript. All authors participated in manuscript writing, revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.
Institutional review board statement: This study was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Institutional Review Board at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. The study and protocols were approved by the University of Health Sciences, Lahore (No. UHS/Education/126-24/1062). Informed written consent was obtained from all the participants before collecting adipose tissue samples in a local hospital.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Mahmood S Choudhery, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Khayaban-e-Jamia Punjab, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan. ms20031@yahoo.com
Received: November 10, 2025 Revised: December 11, 2025 Accepted: February 9, 2026 Published online: March 26, 2026 Processing time: 135 Days and 3.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This study presents a novel dual-digestion method to isolate stem cells from small adipose tissue samples, optimizing cell yield for regenerative medicine applications. Traditionally, only the first stromal vascular fraction is retained for research or therapeutic purpose, while remaining undigested tissue is discarded. However, a second enzymatic digestion (yielding stromal vascular fraction 2) revealed a significant number of viable regenerative cells. They presence of viable regenerative cells was confirmed by plating efficiency, flow cytometry, gene expression analysis and histological studies. This approach is especially beneficial for pediatric patients or individuals with limited adipose reserves, enhancing the number of autologous stem cell by maximizing the utility of small-volume adipose tissue samples.
