Methods of using adipose tissue-derived cells in the treatment of the lymphatic system and malignant disease

Abstract

Aspects of the invention provides methods for preparing and using adipose-tissue-derived stem and progenitor cells, adipose-tissue-derived lymphatic endothelial cells, and cells capable of differentiating into lymphatic endothelial cells to treat disorders of the lymphatic system and to modulate expansion, repair, and/or regeneration of the lymphatic system. The invention further provides using adipose-tissue-derived lymphatic endothelial cells and cells capable of differentiating into lymphatic endothelial cells for delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells as a means for treating malignant disease, and assays to screen for drugs that modulate lymphatic system expansion, repair or regeneration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolated population of adipose-derived cells comprising lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and pre-LECs, wherein greater than 5% of said isolated population of adipose-derived cells express FLT-4.