OBJECTIVETo compare the adipogenic differentiation capacity of dedifferentiated adipocytes cells (DA) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in vivo, so as to select good adipogenic seed cells for tissue engineering.

METHODSMature adipocytes and ASCs were isolated by means of enzymatic digestion from the liposuction aspirate. Then the DA cells were acquired by ceiling adherent culture of mature adipocytes and the 3rd passage cells were used. The DA cells and ASCs were cultured with fibrin glue in vitro respectively. The compatibility of scaffold with cells was detected by microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The scaffold-cell composite was also labeled by DiI. The composite was injected subcutaneously on the nude mice back, respectively (DA-FG group, n = 8; ASCs-FG group, n = 8; sham FG group, n = 8). 8 weeks after implantation, the newly formed tissue was taken out for general observation and histologic study.

RESULTSMature adipocytes were transferred to DA cells with spindle shape, like fibroblast. The ASCs were also spindle. Three days after culture of cell-scaffold composite in vitro, the cells grew well. 8 weeks after implantation, the newly formed tissue was found under the skin both in DA-FG and ASCs-FG groups, but not in sham FG group. The newly formed tissue was mature fat tissue and originated from the seed cells. The average wet weight of the new-formed tissue was higher in DA-FG group than that in ASCs-FG group. The average fibrosis ratio was lower in DA-FG than in ASCs-FG group.

CONCLUSIONSThe tissue-engineered adipose tissue can be achieved with DA cells and ASCs as seed cells. Compared with ASCs, the new-formed fat tissue with DA has a higher wet weight and lower fibrosis ratio.