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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Creation and Transplantation of an Adipose-derived Stem Cell (ASC) Sheet in a Diabetic Wound-healing Model
Published on: August 4, 2017
Wound microenvironment sequesters adipose-derived stem cells in a murine model of reconstructive surgery in the
Andrew M Altman1, Lukas Prantl, Fabian L Muehlberg
1Houston, Texas; and Regensburg and Magdeburg, Germany From the Departments of Molecular Pathology and Plastic Surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Universitaetsklinikum; and Department of Radiology, Otto von Guericke University.
Background:
It is unclear whether mesenchymal stem cells that are applied to regenerate wound tissues can migrate to existing tumors and enhance their growth. The authors investigated whether adipose-derived stem cells had any effect on the growth and progression of distant tumors when applied to a skin wound.
Methods:
The authors subcutaneously injected murine 4T1 breast cancer cells into all BALB/c-nu/nu mice. After tumor injection, mice were randomized to five groups (five mice per group) based on the means of co-introduction of green fluorescent protein-labeled adipose-derived stem cells, if any. In group 1, adipose-derived stem cells were combined and co-injected subcutaneously. In group 2, they were injected subcutaneously at a distant anatomical site. In group 3, they were injected intravenously. In group 4, they were delivered via a human acellular dermal matrix to a distant skin wound. In group 5, no adipose-derived stem cells were introduced.
Results:
After 2 weeks, tumor volume increased in group 1 (356.5 ± 44.4 mm(3)), followed by group 3 (256.6 ± 47.1 mm(3)) and then group 2 (201.6 ± 28.6 mm(3)). In group 4, in which adipose-derived stem cells carried on acellular dermal matrix were applied to a wound distant to the primary tumor, the tumor volume was 143.8 ± 50.9 mm(3), which was similar to that observed in the control group (group 5; 167.8 ± 29.9 mm(3)).
Conclusions:
The authors' findings suggest that the wound microenvironment can retain adipose-derived stem cells, preventing their homing and stromal contribution to a distant neoplastic focus. These findings are an important first step in establishing the feasibility and safety of utilizing adipose-derived stem cell therapy for reconstructive surgery in the setting of malignancy.
