Peripheral nerve regeneration seldom leads to total functional recovery. Thus regenerative medicine requires reliable nerve conduits and good source of cells to refine this process. Schwann cells (SC) form myelin in peripheral nerves but their use may be impracticable given difficulties in harvesting. Adipose tissue is emerging resource of adult adipose stem cells (ASC), which can differentiate into SC-like (dASC) phenotype for nerve injury repair. Differentiation of adult rat ASC from subcutaneous and visceral fat, was confirmed by specific glial markers S100, GFAP and P0. In vitro analysis for cell adhesion, viability and proliferation of dASC seeded on different scaffolds were demonstrating their potential for nerve regeneration. In accordance, in vivo application of ASC in a rat model of nerve injury confirmed their regenerative characteristics. Technical and immunocompetent concerns regarding rat ASC may be overcame by adult ASC from human sources (hASC). Our study aimed to characterise hASC for possible clinical application and to examine whether they display different functional properties. The cells were characterized by FACS analysis with mesenchymal cell markers (CD34, CD90, CD45). Following in vitro differentiation, dhASC were stained by specific glial markers. This preliminary characterization could be a useful tool for further investigation of regulating mechanisms of hASC and for their possible translation to clinical medicine to improve nerve regeneration