Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Tool for Bone and Cartilage Repair

Abstract

The osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation ability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) and their potential therapeutic applications in bone and cartilage defects are reported in this review. This becomes particularly important when these disorders can only be poorly treated by conventional therapeutic approaches, and tissue engineering may represent a valuable alternative. Being of mesodermal origin, ASCs can be easily induced to differentiate into chondrocyte-like and osteocyte-like elements and used to repair damaged tissues. Moreover, they can be easily harvested and used for autologous implantation. A plethora of ASC-based strategies are being developed worldwide: they include the transplantation of freshly harvested cells, in vitro expanded cells or predifferentiated cells. Moreover, improving their positive effects, ASCs can be implanted in combination with several types of scaffolds that ensure the correct cell positioning; support cell viability, proliferation and migration; and may contribute to their osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation. Examples of these strategies are described here, showing the enormous therapeutic potential of ASCs in this field. For safety and regulatory issues, most investigations are still at the experimental stage and carried out in vitro and in animal models. Clinical applications have, however, been reported with promising results and no serious adverse effects.

Novel insights into osteocyte and inter-organ/tissue crosstalk

“…Because they are easily harvested and used for autologous implantation, adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) have become a hot topic in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering for the treatment of cartilage and bone disorders. ASCs are multipotent and can differentiate into various cell types such as OCY, chondrocytes, and myocytes ( 89 ). Exosomes isolated from ASCs effectively inhibited OCY apoptosis and OCY-mediated osteoclastogenesis through suppressing reactive oxygen species production and mitochondria-dependent signal activation ( 90 ).…”

Advancements in innate immune regulation strategies in islet transplantation

“…Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have advantages such as easy acquisition, more extensive multipotential differentiation ability, a better immunoregulatory effect, and more secretion of angiogenic factors ( 83 , 84 ). Innate immune responses are the leading cause of transplant failure for patients undergoing total pancreas resection and autologous islet transplantation.…”

The Evolution of Current Concept of the Reconstructive Ladder in Plastic Surgery: The Emerging Role of Translational Medicine

“…Furthermore, within the adipose tissue it was possible to isolate a portion of stem cells that was called the stromal vascular fraction [56]. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is represented by diversified cell populations, such as stem cells, preadipocytes, endothelial cells, pericytes, T cells, and M2 macrophages [57], and capable of multipotency differentiation [58][59][60]. Adipose tissue solutions contain many sources of growth factors, cytokines, adipokines, and transcriptional factors, which together produce secretomes.…”