The therapeutic effect of stem cells is due to a combination of immunomodulatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and possibly regenerative properties. The ease of isolation of stem cells with liposuction and the possibility of direct administration (bronchoscopically) are important advantages over other populations of multipotent stem cells (e.g. derived from bone marrow). The fact that they are of autologous origin, overcomes all histocompatibility problems common to all transplantations.
