Adipogenic differentiation of scaffold-bound human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASC) for soft tissue engineering

Abstract

Adipose tissue engineering, instead of tissue substitution, often uses autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASC). These cells are known to improve graft integration and to support neovascularization of scaffolds when seeded onto biomaterials. In this study we thought to engineer adipose tissue using scaffold-bound hASC, since they can be differentiated into the adipocyte cell lineage and used for soft tissue regeneration. We show here by microscopy and gene expression of the peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor gene (PPARγ2) that hASC growing on polypropylene fibrous scaffolds as well as on three-dimensional nonwoven scaffolds can be turned into adipose tissue within 19 days. Freshly isolated hASC displayed a higher differentiation potential than hASC cultured for eight passages. In addition, we proved a modified alginate microcapsule to directly induce adipogenic differentiation of incorporated hASC. The results may help to improve long-term success of adipose tissue regeneration, especially for large-scale soft tissue defects, and support the development of cell-scaffold combinations which can be shaped individually and directly induce the adipogenic differentiation of incorporated hASC at the site of implantation.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration: A Review

“…Furthermore, the presence of GFP+ve cells can be confirmed in the new tissue, indicating that the ASC is, at a minimum, retained within the forming tissue and has a positive effect on adipose generation. Similar findings have also been reported using ASCs in combination with a variety of scaffolds including silk fibroin, collagen type 1, collagen/gelatin, alginate, polypropylene, and scaffolds modified for the controlled release of growth factors such as bFGF [218][219][220][221][222]. Human ASCs have also been used to form fat using a "self-assembly" approach in which the ASC is used to produce not only adipocytes but also its own supportive stroma [223].…”

45S5-Bioglass®-Based 3D-Scaffolds Seeded with Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Induce In Vivo Vascularization in the CAM Angiogenesis Assay

“…32 To control negative effects of ion dissolution products of 45S5 Bioglass Ò , we began by preconditioning of the scaffolds and hernia meshes. When the cell suspension of hASC finally was mixed with collagen and seeded onto the preconditioned scaffolds, cell seeding resulted in a dense layer of hASCs (Fig.…”

“…6 To determine whether potential effects in our CAM angiogenesis assay were due to these ion dissolution products or other material-specific characteristics, we used conventional biologically inert polypropylene hernia meshes as a control material. For a plain biofunctionalization of the scaffold materials, we referred to a previously published technique, 32 where cell adhesion on the polypropylene meshes could be clearly enhanced by coating them before seeding with collagen containing extracellular matrix-like coating. Leu and Leach, 13 as well as Yao et al 37 already showed that collagen does not produce false-positive angiogenic side effects: Sponges made of collagen type-1 improved neither endothelial cell proliferation, HUVEC tube formation or an upregulation of VEGF production in coculture experiments in vitro 13 nor an ingrowth of blood vessels in the CAM angiogenesis assay in vivo.…”

Scaffolds and tissue regeneration: An overview of the functional properties of selected organic tissues

“…28 An important aspect of adaptive reshaping is the vascularization of adipose tissue responsible for the resorption of all types of grafts (autologous, allogenic, or alloplastic). The use of autologous and allogenic grafts, unlike scaffolds composed of biomaterials, is more susceptible to immune rejection, allergic reactions, implant migration, inability to integrate into adjacent tissues, and repetition of the surgical procedure to maintain the volume of the adipose tissue and of any another type of soft tissue.…”

“…32,33 The use of scaffolds in tissue engineering is a promising option for the temporary replacement of adipose tissue in postoperative conditions, congenital problems, or post-traumatic lesions, favoring regeneration of the native tissue. 34,35 The scaffold, as a carrier, could serve to veiculate microcapsules of autologous stem cells such as those obtained by Handel et al 28 Choi et al 36 implanted a collagen scaffold containing autologous adipose cells. The scaffold promoted proliferation of the stem cells, demonstrating the potential of this procedure for the production of adipose tissue.…”