Objective To review research progress of adipose tissuederived stromal cells (ADSCs).Methods The recent articles on ADSCs were extensively reviewed, and the culture and differentiation ability of ADSCs were investigated.Results A population of stem cells could be isolated from adult adipose tissue, they were processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells and could be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling. The majority of the isolated cells were mesenchymal origin, with a few pericytes,endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. ADSCs could be induced to differentiate intomultiple mesenchymal cell types, including osteogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic and adipogenic cells, they could also differentiate into nerve cells.Conclusion ADSCs can substitute mesenchymal stem cells and become an alternative stem cells source for tissue engineering.