Injectable cellular aggregates prepared from biodegradable porous microspheres for adipose tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Biodegradable porous microspheres are being explored for injectable soft tissue reconstruction.
• Developing effective methods for creating cellular aggregates is crucial for in vivo tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare injectable cellular aggregates using biodegradable porous microspheres for soft tissue reconstruction.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these aggregates in adipose tissue regeneration in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Biodegradable porous microspheres (50 microm) were fabricated using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) via a porogen leaching-phase separation method.
• 3T3 L1 mouse preadipocyte cells were cultured on these microspheres in a spinner flask to form cellular aggregates.
• The cellular aggregates were injected into nude mice for in vivo adipose tissue regeneration assessment.

Main Results:

• Spherical cellular aggregates (up to 1000 microm) with a higher number of viable cells were formed using porous microspheres compared to nonporous ones.
• The aggregates demonstrated enhanced differentiation into adipocytes compared to controls.
• Histological analysis of injected tissues showed characteristics similar to native adipose tissue 4 weeks post-injection.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable porous microspheres serve as effective microcarriers for generating injectable cellular aggregates.
• These cellular aggregates show significant potential for adipose tissue regeneration and soft tissue reconstruction in vivo.