Abstract:Aim To study the basic biological characteristics of adult adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell(ADMSC) and the potential of differentiating into smooth muscle cells by chemical induction.Methods ADMSC were isolated and cultured from adult greater omentum adipose tissue in vitro.The morphological characteristics of cells were observed by the inverted microscope.The cell cycle and expression of CD29,CD31,CD34 and CD44 were detected by flow cytometry.The fifth passage cells were induced with 5 μg/L transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.Then the immunohistochemistry method was used to identify smooth muscle cells.Results ①The isolated and cultured ADMSC presented even fusiform shape and stably passaged,during which ADMSC kept the same shape.② ADMSC expressed CD29 and CD44 but not CD34 or CD31 by flow cytometry.③ The cell cycle studies revealed that there were 90.14% of the cells in G0/G1,3.77% in S and 6.09% in G2/M.④ After 10 days induction by TGF-β,the cells assumed a spindle shape and a “hill-and-valley” growth pattern.⑤ The induced cells expressed characteristic α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) by immunohistochemistry.Conclusion Adult adipose tissues contain plenty of productive mesenchymal stem cells that can be easily isolated,cultured and differentiated into smooth muscle cells in vitro.