Effects of autologous adipose stem cells on dermis layer thickness and fibroblast cells number in photoaging nude mice model

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of autologous Adipose Stem Cells (ASCs) on the thickness of dermis and the number of fibroblasts in nude mice. As a result, relevant experimental basis was provided for clinical application of autologous ASCs in skin photoaging therapy. Methods: 50 SPF grade balb/c nude mice were selected and divided into 5 groups: normal group (n=10), photoaging model group (n=10), photoaging+ASCs group (n=10), photoaging+PBS group (n=10), photoaging+aminoguanidine group (n=10). In addition to the normal group, the remaining groups were constructed by UV irradiation to establish a photoaging model. After successful modeling, the mice in the ASCs group were injected with 1 ml ASCs (at a concentration of 1 × 10 6 cells/ml); the nude mice in the photoaging+PBS group were performed intradermal injection of equal dose of PBS. The mice in the photoaging+aminoguanidine group were performed intradermal injection of aminoguanidine (100 mg/ kg). After 4 w of feeding, dorsal skin in each group was observed. The thickness of the dermis was observed by Masson staining, and the number of fibroblasts was counted. Result: The skin gloss and elasticity of the nude mice were significantly lower than those in the normal group. The skin gloss and elasticity of photoaging+ASCs group and photoaging+aminoguanidine group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the dermal thickness and the number of fibroblasts decreased in photoaging group (P<0.05), which accorded with the characteristics of photoaging; the dermal thickness and the number of fibroblasts were significantly increased (P<0.05) in the photoaging+ASCs group and photoaging+aminoguanidine group. There was no significant difference in the number of dermal thickness and fibroblasts between the PBS group and the model group (P>0.05). Conclusion: ASCs transplantation can significantly increase the dermal layer thickness of nude mice and increase the number of fibroblasts. ASCs transplantation can be used to improve skin aging caused by light injury.