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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
Isolation of Murine Adipose Tissue-derived Microvascular Fragments as Vascularization Units for Tissue Engineering
Published on: April 30, 2017
Generation of Connective Tissue-Free Microvascular Fragment Isolates from Subcutaneous Fat Tissue of Obese Mice
Friederike C Meßner1, Wolfgang Metzger2, Julia E Marschall1
1Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
Background:
Microvascular fragment (MVF) isolates are generated by short-term enzymatic digestion of adipose tissue and contain numerous vessel segments for the vascularization of tissue defects. Recent findings indicate that the functionality of these isolates is determined by the quality of the fat source. Therefore, we compared MVF isolates from subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese and lean mice.
Methods:
MVF isolates were generated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of donor mice, which received a high fat or control diet for 12 weeks. The isolates were analyzed in vitro and in vivo.
Results:
Feeding of mice with a high fat diet induced obesity with adipocyte hypertrophy, resulting in a significantly lower collagen fraction and microvessel density within the subcutaneous fat depots when compared to lean controls. Accordingly, MVF isolates from obese mice also contained a reduced number of MVF per mL adipose tissue. However, these MVF tended to be longer and, in contrast to MVF from lean mice, were not contaminated with collagen fibers. Hence, they could be freely seeded onto collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds, whereas MVF from lean controls were trapped in between large amounts of collagen fibers that clogged the pores of the scaffolds. In line with these results, scaffolds seeded with MVF isolates from obese mice exhibited a significantly improved in vivo vascularization after implantation into full-thickness skin defects.
Conclusion:
Subcutaneous adipose tissue from obese mice facilitates the generation of connective tissue-free MVF isolates. Translated to clinical conditions, these findings suggest that particularly obese patients may benefit from MVF-based vascularization strategies.
Insights
Microvascular fragment (MVF) isolates from obese mice yield improved vascularization. This suggests obese patients may benefit from these MVF-based strategies for tissue defect repair.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Microvascular fragment (MVF) isolates are crucial for vascularizing tissue defects.
- MVF functionality depends on the quality of the adipose tissue source.
- Obesity impacts adipose tissue composition and MVF characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare MVF isolates from subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese and lean mice.
- To evaluate the impact of obesity on MVF quality and vascularization potential.
- To determine the clinical relevance of obese-derived MVF for regenerative strategies.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from mice fed a high-fat (obese) or control (lean) diet for 12 weeks.
- MVF isolates were generated via enzymatic digestion.
- Isolates were analyzed in vitro for collagen content and MVF density, and in vivo for scaffold vascularization.
Main Results:
- Obese mice exhibited lower collagen fraction and microvessel density in fat depots.
- MVF isolates from obese mice were connective tissue-free, allowing easier scaffold seeding.
- Scaffolds seeded with MVF from obese mice showed significantly improved in vivo vascularization.
Conclusions:
- Obese adipose tissue yields connective tissue-free MVF isolates.
- MVF isolates from obese donors enhance vascularization of tissue scaffolds.
- Obesity may not be a contraindication for MVF-based therapies; obese patients could benefit.
