BACKGROUND: Fat grafting, or lipofilling, represent frequent clinically used entities. The fate of these transplants is still not predictable, whereas only few animal models are available for further research. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals which can be conveniently tracked in vivo due to photoluminescence. METHODS: Fat grafts in cluster form were labeled with cadmium-telluride (CdTe)-QD 770 and transplanted subcutaneously in a murine in vivo model. Photoluminescence levels were serially followed in vivo. RESULTS: Tracing of fat grafts was possible for 50 days with CdTe-QD 770. The remaining photoluminescence was 4.9%±2.5% for the QDs marked fat grafts after 30 days and 4.2%± 1.7% after 50 days. There was no significant correlation in the relative course of the tracking signal, when vital fat transplants were compared to non-vital graft controls. CONCLUSIONS: For the first-time fat grafts were tracked in vivo with CdTe-QDs. CdTe-QDs could offer a new option for in vivo tracking of fat grafts for at least 50 days, but do not document vitality of the grafts.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue* ; Models, Animal ; Quantum Dots* ; Transplantation ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND: Whartons jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells are a valuable alternative source that possess multipotent properties, easy to obtain and available in large scale compared to BMMSCs. We investigated the possibility of cardiac function improvement post isoproterenol induced cardiac injury in a rat model following human WJMSCs transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs were extracted and cultured from cord WJ, characterized by morphology, Immunophenotyping and differentiation to osteoblast and adipocytes. WJMSCs were labeled with PKH2 linker dye. Wistar rats were divided into control group, ISO group (injected with 2 doses of isoproterenol) to induce myocardial injury and ISO group transplanted with labelled WJMSCs. ECG, electrocardiographic patterns, cardiac marker enzymes, tracing of labeled MSCs and immunohistochemical analysis of myocardial cryosections were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: WJ derived MSCs were expanded for more than 14 passages while maintaining their un-differentiated state, were positive for MSC markers and were able to differentiate into adipocyte and osteoblast. We demonstrated that intravenously administered WJMSCs were capable of homing predominently in the ischemic myocardium. Cardiac markers were positively altered in stem cell treated group compared to ISO group. ECG and ECHO changes were improved with higher survival rate. WJMSCs could differentiate into cardiac-like cells (positive for cardiac specific proteins) in vivo. WJMSCs infusion promoted cardiac protection and reduced mortality, emphasizing a promising therapeutic role for myocardial insufficiency.
Adipocytes ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Isoproterenol ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Models, Animal ; Mortality ; Myocardium ; Osteoblasts ; Rats, Wistar ; Rodentia* ; Stem Cells ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation ; Wharton Jelly*

Autologous bone transplantation is the current gold standard for reconstruction of jawbone defects. Bone regeneration usingmesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is an interesting alternative to improve the current techniques,which necessitate a second site of surgery resulting in donor site morbidity. In this study,we compared the osteogenic ability of jawboneMSC(JB-MSC) withMSC from tissues with neural crest origin, namely, the dental pulp, apical papilla and periodontal ligament. All four types ofMSC were isolated from the same patient (n = 3 donors) to exclude inter-individual variations.TheMSCgrowth and differentiation properties were characterized. The osteogenic differentiation potential in each group of cells was assessed quantitatively to determine if there were any differences between the cell types. All cells expressed the MSC-associated surface markers CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD146 and were negative for CD11b, CD19, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. All cell types proliferated at similar rates, exhibited similar clonogenic activity and could differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. An alkaline phosphatase assay, OsteoImage™ assay for mineralization and qRT-PCR measuring the genes runx2, ALP and OCN, indicated that there were no significant differences in the osteogenic differentiation ability between the variousMSCs. In conclusion,we show that from a small segment of jawbone it is possible to isolate sufficient quantities of MSC and that these cells can easily be expanded and differentiated into osteoblasts. JB-MSC appear to be good candidates for future bone regeneration applications in the craniofacial region.
Adipocytes ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Transplantation ; Dental Pulp ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Miners ; Neural Crest ; Osteoblasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Donors

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are pluripotent stem cells isolated from the adipose tissue and have the potential for self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation into neurogenic cells, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and so on. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction that has a negative impact on the lives of the patients and their partners. Current treatments of ED include surgery and medication, with oral 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors as the first-line drugs. However, a small number of the patients are not sensitive to these therapies and cannot be improved or cured pathologically. So far, animal experiments and preclinical trials have confirmed the safety and efficacy of ADSCs, which act on ED though paracrine mechanisms. This review summarizes the advances in the recent 5 years in the studies of ADSCs for the treatment of ED.
Adipocytes ; transplantation ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; trends

Regenerative medicine is an emerging discipline. Adipose tissue is a rich source of fat cells and mesenchymal stem cells, and autologous fat grafting has increasingly been applied in plastic surgeries and dermatological treatments. This paper reviews the latest advances in autologous fat grafting in scar revision.
Adipocytes ; transplantation ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

When mature adipocytes are subjected to an in vitro dedifferentiation strategy referred to as ceiling culture, these mature adipocytes can revert to dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. DFAT cells have many advantages compared with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). For example, DFAT cells are homogeneous and could be obtained from donors regardless of their age. Furthermore, DFAT cells also have the same multi-lineage potentials and low immunogenicity as ASCs. As an excellent source of seed cells for tissue engineering and stem cell transplantation, DFAT cells have better prospects in the treatment of many clinical diseases, such as bone defects, neurological diseases, ischemic heart disease and kidney disease. It is necessary to make more intensive studies of DFAT cells. This article summarizes progresses in the immunological characteristics, differentiation ability and potential clinical applications of DFAT cells.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Tissue Engineering

Traditional adipose tissue transplantation has unpredictable viability and poor absorption rates. Recent studies have reported that treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) are related to increased survival of grafted adipose tissue. This study was the first simultaneous comparison of graft survival in combination with PRP, ASCs, and SVF. Adipose tissues were mixed with each other, injected subcutaneously into the back of nude mice, and evaluated at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Human adipocytes were grossly maintained in the ASCs and SVF mixtures. Survival of the adipose tissues with PRP was observed at 4 weeks and with SVF at 8 and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, volume reduction in the ASCs and SVF mixtures were 36.9% and 32.1%, respectively, which were significantly different from that of the control group without adjuvant treatment, 51.0%. Neovascular structures were rarely observed in any of the groups. Our results suggest that the technique of adding ASCs or SVF to transplanted adipose tissue might be more effective than the conventional grafting method. An autologous adipose tissue graft in combination with ASCs or SVF may potentially contribute to stabilization of engraftment.
Adipocytes/*transplantation ; Adipose Tissue/cytology/*transplantation ; Adult ; Animals ; Female ; *Graft Survival ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; *Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Stem Cells ; Stromal Cells/*transplantation ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Soft tissue augmentation is a process of implanting tissues or materials to treat wrinkles or soft tissue defects in the body. Over the years, various materials have evolved to correct soft tissue defects, including a number of tissues and polymers. Autogenous dermis, autogenous fat, autogenous dermis-fat, allogenic dermis, synthetic implants, and fillers have been widely accepted for soft tissue augmentations. Tissue engineering technology has also been introduced and opened a new venue of opportunities in this field. In particular, a long-lasting filler consisting of hyaluronic acid filler and living human mesenchymal cells called "injectable tissue-engineered soft tissue" has been created and applied clinically, as this strategy has many advantages over conventional methods. Fibroblasts and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells can be clinically used as injectable tissue-engineered soft tissue at present. In this review, information on the soft tissue augmentation method using the injectable tissue-engineered soft tissue is provided.
Adipocytes/transplantation ; Adipose Tissue/cytology ; Biocompatible Materials ; Connective Tissue/*surgery ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Face ; Fibroblasts/transplantation ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid/therapeutic use ; Injections, Intradermal ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/*methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Skin ; Skin Aging ; Tissue Engineering/*methods

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Stroke ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) of rat on the early neovascularization of autologous fat transplantation.

METHODS(1) Experiment 1. Adipose tissue was collected from both inguinal regions of two SD rats to isolate, culture, and purify ADSCs through collagen enzyme digestion, density gradient centrifugation, and adherence method. The fourth passage of cells were collected for morphologic observation, detection of expressions of surface markers CD34, CD49d, CD106, and CD45 of ADSCs with flow cytometer, identification of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation, and determination of the cell proliferation ability with thiazolyl blue method. (2) Experiment 2. Another 30 SD rats were divided into allogeneic adipose granule (AG) group (A, n = 6), autologous AG group (B, n = 8), autologous ADSCs+autologous AG group (C, n = 8), and allogeneic ADSCs+autologous AG group (D, n = 8) according to the random number table. The fourth passage of ADSCs were obtained from adipose tissue from one side of inguinal region of SD rats in group C. Adipose tissue obtained from one side of inguinal region of SD rats of the other 3 groups was abandoned. The AG was prepared from another side of inguinal region of SD rats in the 4 groups. The mixture of 0.6 g AG from one rat and 1 mL DMEM/F12 nutrient solution was injected subcutaneously into the back of another rat in group A, and so on. Autologous AG was injected into its own body of the rats in group B. The mixture of 1 mL autologous ADSCs mixture which contains 3.0 × 10⁶ cells per mililitre autologous ADSCs combined with autologous AG was injected into the rats in group C. The mixture of 1 mL allogeneic ADSCs mixture which contains 3.0 × 10⁶ cells per mililitre ADSCs extractived from the former 2 rats in experiment 1 combined with autologous AG was injected into the rats in group D. At 7 days post transplantation, fat transplants were harvested for gross observation, measurement of wet weight, pathological observation, and assessment of cells with positive expression of CD31 with immunohistochemical method. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and SNK test.

RESULTS(1) The fourth passage of cells proliferated well showing fusiform shape similar to fibroblasts. These cells showed positive expression of CD34 and CD49d and weak positive expression of CD106 and CD45. They were able to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. These cells were identified as ADSCs. The fourth passage of cells grew faster than that of the tenth passage. (2) At 7 days post transplantation, no liquifying necrosis or infection was observed in the fat transplants of the rats in the 4 groups. Wet weight of the fat transplants in groups A and B was respectively (0.25 ± 0.04) and (0.26 ± 0.03) g, which were less than those of groups C and D [(0.36 ± 0.03) and (0.35 ± 0.04) g, with P values below 0.05]. HE staining showed that there were less fat cells and more fibroblasts in the transplants of group A, visible fibrous tissue around uneven shape of fat cells in the transplants of group B, and almost identical size and shape of fat cells and unobvious fibrous tissues were found in the transplants of groups C and D. The cells with positive expression of CD31 were distributed in fibrous tissues in larger number but less around fat cells in the transplants of group A, while more of these cells were observed surrounding fat cells in the transplants of group B. There were more cells with positive expression of CD31 distributed surrounding fat cells in the transplants of groups C and D than that in group B. The cells with positive expression of CD31 observed under 400 times field were more in number in groups C (20.5 ± 1.1) and D (22.1 ± 1.0) than in groups A (8.0 ± 3.6) and B (10.9 ± 1.7), with P values below 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSAllogeneic ADSCs combined with autologous AG can significantly improve the early vascularization of fat transplantation as well as autologous ADSCs combined with autologous AG.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; transplantation ; Adipose Tissue ; blood supply ; cytology ; Animals ; Burns ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Osteogenesis ; Rats ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Wound Healing ; physiology