Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40558526›Full record

ArticleCells2025

Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Adipose Tissue: A Scoping Review on Staining Methods and Their Informative Value.

Tom Schimanski, Rafael Loucas, Marios Loucas, Oliver Felthaus, Vanessa Brébant, Silvan Klein, Alexandra Anker, Konstantin Frank, Andreas Siegmund, Andrea Pagani and 4 more

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Cells, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. An overview of immunohistochemistry: Evidence and personal experience.The Journal of international medical research · 2026
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Clinical Applications of Stromal Vascular Fraction and Stromal Vascular Matrix for Osteoarthritis: A Commentary.HSS journal : the musculoskeletal journal of Hospital for Special Surgery · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Tom SchimanskiDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Rafael LoucasDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Marios LoucasClinic of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Döbling Private Hospital, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Oliver FelthausDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-3967-5841
Vanessa BrébantDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-3144-4459
Silvan KleinDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Alexandra AnkerDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-9004-073X
Konstantin FrankDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Andreas SiegmundDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Andrea PaganiDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Sebastian GeisDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Sophia Theresa DieschDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Andreas EigenbergerDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-2141-8786
Lukas PrantlDepartment of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-2454-2499

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHistological and immunohistochemical analyses of adipose tissue are essential for evaluating the quality and functionality of lipoaspirates in regenerative medicine and fat grafting procedures. These methods provide insights into tissue viability, cellular subtypes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition-all factors influencing graft retention and clinical outcomes. PURPOSE: This scoping review aims to summarize the most commonly used staining methods and their applications in the histology and immunohistochemistry of adipose tissue. By exploring qualitative and quantitative markers, we seek to guide researchers in selecting the appropriate methodologies for addressing experimental and translational research.

methodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to 2024, employing Boolean operators ("lipoaspirate" OR "fat graft" OR "gauze rolling" OR "decantation" OR "coleman fat" OR "celt" OR "nanofat" OR "lipofilling" OR "human fat" AND "histol*"). Studies were included if they utilized histology or immunohistochemistry on undigested human adipose tissue or its derivatives. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed, English-language studies reporting quantitative and qualitative data on adipose tissue markers.

resultsOut of 166 studies analyzed, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) was the most frequently employed histological stain (152 studies), followed by Masson Trichrome and Sudan III. Immunohistochemical markers such as CD31, CD34, and perilipin were extensively used to distinguish stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells, adipocytes, and inflammatory processes. Studies employing semiquantitative scoring demonstrated enhanced comparability, particularly for fibrosis, necrosis, and oil cyst evaluation. Quantitative analyses focused on SVF cell density, mature adipocyte integrity, and ECM composition. Methodological inconsistencies, particularly in preparation protocols, were observed in 25 studies.

conclusionsThis review highlights the critical role of histological and immunohistochemical methods in adipose tissue research. H&E staining remains the cornerstone for general tissue evaluation in the clinical context, while specialized stains and immunohistochemical markers allow for detailed analyses of specific cellular and ECM components in experimental research. Standardizing preparation and evaluation protocols will enhance interstudy comparability and support advancements in adipose tissue-based therapies.

Indexed as

Adipose TissueImmunohistochemistryStaining and LabelingAdipocytesBiomarkersHumansBiomarkersextracellular matrixfat graftinghistologyimmunohistochemistrylipoaspirateregenerative medicinestaining protocolstromal vascular fraction

Identifiers

PMID40558526
PMCPMC12190835

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.