Delivered adipose-derived stromal cells improve host-derived adipose tissue formation in composite constructs in vivo

Adipose tissue engineering aims to provide functional tissue surrogates for the restoration of soft tissue defects and contour deformities in the face. Many studies involve the delivery of cells; however, the impact and the exact role of the implanted cells is not yet fully elucidated.

Animal research.

In this study, we used a mouse model for the development of volume-stable adipose tissue using polyurethane scaffolds combined with a long-term stable fibrin gel and adipose-derived stromal cells to investigate the influence of cell delivery on tissue development.

After 12 weeks in vivo, the emerging tissue in these constructs was shown to be exclusively of host origin by human-specific vimentin staining. Comparison of unseeded versus seeded scaffolds revealed a significant effect of the delivered cells on adipose tissue development as shown by histological staining and histomorphometric quantification of adipocytes, whereas blood vessel formation was not affected by delivery of adipose-derived stromal cells at this time point.

This is evidence for an indirect action of the implanted cells, providing a proadipogenic microenvironment within constructs, which was further boosted by adipogenic precultivation of the seeded constructs. Especially in peripheral areas of the constructs, the number of adipocytes was significantly elevated in seeded scaffolds compared to nonseeded controls, suggesting that the implanted cells likely triggered the invasion and differentiation of host cells. This is supported by the fact that the provision of a fat rich environment (by coverage of the constructs with a fat flap upon implantation) additionally stimulated adipose tissue formation.

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:E428-E436, 2017.