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World J Stem Cells. May 26, 2026; 18(5): 117241
Published online May 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i5.117241
Published online May 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i5.117241
Hypoxic preconditioning restores the regenerative potential of aged adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells
Bushra Bashir, Ijaz Hussain, Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Mahmood S Choudhery, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Mahmood S Choudhery, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Author contributions: Choudhery MS designed the study; Basir B performed the experimental procedures and collected data; Bashir B and Hussain I performed the data analysis and interpretation; Choudhery MS and Hussain I 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: The study was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and approved by the Advanced Studies & Research Board of King Edward Medical University (No. 2744/KEMU/2016). All procedures involving human samples complied with applicable guidelines and regulations, and informed consent was obtained from all donors prior to sample collection.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: The data supporting the findings of this study has been included in the study.
Corresponding author: Mahmood S Choudhery, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Khayaban-e-Jamia, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan. ms20031@yahoo.com
Received: December 2, 2025
Revised: January 6, 2026
Accepted: March 12, 2026
Published online: May 26, 2026
Processing time: 174 Days and 14.4 Hours
Revised: January 6, 2026
Accepted: March 12, 2026
Published online: May 26, 2026
Processing time: 174 Days and 14.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit age-related decline in their regenerative potential. Hypoxic preconditioning has been found to be an effective strategy to augment their regenerative potential. Aged adipose tissue derived MSCs subjected to hypoxic preconditioning (3% O2) for 48 hours exhibited enhanced proliferative potential, clonogenicity, differentiation capability, concurrent with reduced senescence. These findings suggest that hypoxic-preconditioning is a promising therapeutic option to enhance the regenerative potential of aged adipose tissue derived MSCs for autologous use.