Distinct Characteristics between Perivascular and Subcutaneous Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) can differentiate into vascular lineages and participate in vascular remodeling. Perivascular ADSCs (PV-ADSCs) draw attention due to their unique location. The heterogeneity of subcutaneous (SUB-) and abdominal ADSCs were well addressed, but PV-ADSCs’ heterogeneity hasn’t been investigated. In the present study, we applied single-cell analysis to compare SUB-ADSCs and PV-ADSCs respectively regarding their subpopulations, functions, and cell fates. We uncovered 4 subpopulations of PV-ADSCs including Dpp4+, Col4a2+/Icam1+, Clec11a+/Cpe+ and Sult1e1+ cells, among which Clec11a+ subpopulation potentially participated in and regulated the PV-ADSCs differentiation towards a smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype. The present study revealed the distinct characteristics between PV-ADSCs and SUB-ADSCs.