Abstract With the goal of designing a clinically-relevant expansion strategy for human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs), methods were developed to synthesize porous microcarriers derived ...purely from human decellularized adipose tissue (DAT). An electrospraying approach was applied to generate spherical DAT microcarriers with an average diameter of 428 ± 41 μm, which were soft, compliant, and stable in long-term culture without chemical crosslinking. Human ASCs demonstrated enhanced proliferation on the DAT microcarriers relative to commercially-sourced Cultispher-S microcarriers within a spinner culture system over 1 month. ASC immunophenotype was maintained post expansion, with a trend for reduced expression of the cell adhesion receptors CD73, CD105, and CD29 under dynamic conditions. Upregulation of the early lineage-specific genes PPARγ, LPL , and COMP was observed in the ASCs expanded on the DAT microcarriers, but the cells retained their multilineage differentiation capacity. Comparison of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation in 2-D cultures prepared with ASCs pre-expanded on the DAT microcarriers or Cultispher-S microcarriers revealed similar adipogenic and enhanced osteogenic marker expression in the DAT microcarrier group, which had undergone a higher population fold change. Further, histological staining results suggested a more homogeneous differentiation response in the ASCs expanded on the DAT microcarriers as compared to either Cultispher-S microcarriers or tissue culture polystyrene. A pilot chondrogenesis study revealed higher levels of chondrogenic gene and protein expression in the ASCs expanded on the DAT microcarriers relative to all other groups, including the baseline controls. Overall, this study demonstrates the promise of applying dynamic culture with tissue-specific DAT microcarriers as a means of deriving regenerative cell populations.
Stirred bioreactor systems integrating microcarriers represent a promising approach for therapeutic cell manufacturing. While a variety of microcarriers are commercially available, current options do ...not integrate the tissue‐specific composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which can play critical roles in directing cell function. The current study sought to generate microcarriers comprised exclusively of ECM from multiple tissue sources. More specifically, porcine decellularized dermis, porcine decellularized myocardium, and human decellularized adipose tissue were digested with α‐amylase to obtain ECM suspensions that could be electrosprayed into liquid nitrogen to generate 3D microcarriers that were stable over a range of ECM concentrations without the need for chemical crosslinking or other additives. Characterization studies confirmed that all three microcarrier types had similar soft and compliant mechanical properties and were of a similar size range, but that their composition varied depending on the native tissue source. In vivo testing in immunocompetent mice revealed that the microcarriers integrated into the host tissues, supporting the infiltration of host cells including macrophages and endothelial cells at 2 weeks post‐implantation. In vitro cell culture studies validated that the novel microcarriers supported the attachment of tissue‐specific stromal cell populations under dynamic culture conditions within spinner flasks, with a significant increase in live cell numbers observed over 1 week on the dermal‐ and adipose‐derived microcarriers. Overall, the findings demonstrate the versatility of the electrospraying methods and support the further development of the microcarriers as cell culture and delivery platforms.
Abstract Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) has shown promise as an adipogenic bioscaffold for soft tissue augmentation and reconstruction. The objective of the current study was to investigate the ...effects of allogeneic adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) on in vivo fat regeneration in DAT bioscaffolds using an immunocompetent rat model. ASC seeding significantly enhanced angiogenesis and adipogenesis, with cell tracking studies indicating that the newly-forming tissues were host-derived. Incorporating ASCs also mediated the inflammatory response and promoted a more constructive macrophage phenotype. A fraction of the CD163+ macrophages in the implants expressed adipogenic markers, with higher levels of this “adipocyte-like” phenotype in proximity to the developing adipose tissues. Our results indicate that the combination of ASCs and adipose extracellular matrix (ECM) provides an inductive microenvironment for adipose regeneration mediated by infiltrating host cell populations. The DAT scaffolds are a useful tissue-specific model system for investigating the mechanisms of in vivo adipogenesis that may help to develop a better understanding of this complex process in the context of both regeneration and disease. Overall, combining adipose-derived matrices with ASCs is a highly promising approach for the in situ regeneration of host-derived adipose tissue.
Abstract To design tissue-specific bioscaffolds with well-defined properties and 3-D architecture, methods were developed for preparing porous foams from enzyme-solubilized human decellularized ...adipose tissue (DAT). Additionally, a technique was established for fabricating “bead foams” comprised of interconnected networks of porous DAT beads fused through a controlled freeze-thawing and lyophilization procedure. In characterization studies, the foams were stable without the need for chemical crosslinking, with properties that could be tuned by controlling the protein concentration and freezing rate during synthesis. Adipogenic differentiation studies with human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) suggested that stiffness influenced ASC adipogenesis on the foams. In support of our previous work with DAT scaffolds and microcarriers, the DAT foams and bead foams strongly supported adipogenesis and were also adipo-inductive, as demonstrated by glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzyme activity, endpoint RT-PCR analysis of adipogenic gene expression, and intracellular lipid accumulation. Adipogenic differentiation was enhanced on the microporous DAT foams, potentially due to increased cell–cell interactions in this group. In vivo assessment in a subcutaneous Wistar rat model demonstrated that the DAT bioscaffolds were well tolerated and integrated into the host tissues, supporting angiogenesis and adipogenesis. The DAT-based foams induced a strong angiogenic response, promoted inflammatory cell migration and gradually resorbed over the course of 12 weeks, demonstrating potential as scaffolds for wound healing and soft tissue regeneration.
A broader understanding was sought regarding the influence of specific adipose tissue depots on the isolated adipose‐derived stem cell (ASC) populations through a systematic comparison of ...donor‐matched abdominal subcutaneous fat and omentum, and donor‐matched pericardial adipose tissue and thymic remnant samples. Results suggest that depot selection is an important factor to consider when applying ASCs in tissue‐specific cell‐based regenerative therapies, and also highlight pericardial adipose tissue as a potential new ASC source.
Adipose tissue is an abundant source of multipotent progenitor cells that have shown promise in regenerative medicine. In humans, fat is primarily distributed in the subcutaneous and visceral depots, which have varying biochemical and functional properties. In most studies to date, subcutaneous adipose tissue has been investigated as the adipose‐derived stem cell (ASC) source. In this study, we sought to develop a broader understanding of the influence of specific adipose tissue depots on the isolated ASC populations through a systematic comparison of donor‐matched abdominal subcutaneous fat and omentum, and donor‐matched pericardial adipose tissue and thymic remnant samples. We found depot‐dependent and donor‐dependent variability in the yield, viability, immunophenotype, clonogenic potential, doubling time, and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacities of the ASC populations. More specifically, ASCs isolated from both intrathoracic depots had a longer average doubling time and a significantly higher proportion of CD34+ cells at passage 2, as compared with cells isolated from subcutaneous fat or the omentum. Furthermore, ASCs from subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissue demonstrated enhanced adipogenic differentiation capacity, whereas ASCs isolated from the omentum displayed the highest levels of osteogenic markers in culture. Through cell culture analysis under hypoxic (5% O2) conditions, oxygen tension was shown to be a key mediator of colony‐forming unit‐fibroblast number and osteogenesis for all depots. Overall, our results suggest that depot selection is an important factor to consider when applying ASCs in tissue‐specific cell‐based regenerative therapies, and also highlight pericardial adipose tissue as a potential new ASC source.
Abstract An injectable tissue-engineered adipose substitute that could be used to deliver adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), filling irregular defects and stimulating natural soft tissue ...regeneration, would have significant value in plastic and reconstructive surgery. With this focus, the primary aim of the current study was to characterize the response of human ASCs encapsulated within three-dimensional bioscaffolds incorporating decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) as a bioactive matrix within photo-cross-linkable methacrylated glycol chitosan (MGC) or methacrylated chondroitin sulphate (MCS) delivery vehicles. Stable MGC- and MCS-based composite scaffolds were fabricated containing up to 5 wt% cryomilled DAT through initiation with long-wavelength ultraviolet light. The encapsulation strategy allows for tuning of the 3-D microenvironment and provides an effective method of cell delivery with high seeding efficiency and uniformity, which could be adapted as a minimally-invasive in situ approach. Through in vitro cell culture studies, human ASCs were assessed over 14 days in terms of viability, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzyme activity, adipogenic gene expression and intracellular lipid accumulation. In all of the composites, the DAT functioned as a cell-supportive matrix that enhanced ASC viability, retention and adipogenesis within the gels. The choice of hydrogel also influenced the cell response, with significantly higher viability and adipogenic differentiation observed in the MCS composites containing 5 wt% DAT. In vivo analysis in a subcutaneous Wistar rat model at 1, 4 and 12 weeks showed superior implant integration and adipogenesis in the MCS-based composites, with allogenic ASCs promoting cell infiltration, angiogenesis and ultimately, fat formation.
Abstract Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) has shown potential as a regenerative scaffold for plastic and reconstructive surgery to augment or replace damaged or missing adipose tissue (e.g. ...following lumpectomy or mastectomy). The mechanical properties of soft tissue substitutes are of paramount importance in restoring the natural shape and appearance of the affected tissues, and mechanical mismatching can lead to unpredictable scar tissue formation and poor implant integration. The goal of this work was to assess the linear elastic and hyperelastic properties of decellularized human adipose tissue and compare them to those of normal breast adipose tissue. To assess the influence of the adipose depot source on the mechanical properties of the resultant decellularized scaffolds, we performed indentation tests on DAT samples sourced from adipose tissue isolated from the breast, subcutaneous abdominal region, omentum, pericardial depot and thymic remnant, and their corresponding force–displacement data were acquired. Elastic and hyperelastic parameters were estimated using inverse finite element algorithms. Subsequently, a simulation was conducted in which the estimated hyperelastic parameters were tested in a real human breast model under gravity loading in order to assess the suitability of the scaffolds for implantation. Results of these tests showed that in the human breast, the DAT would show similar deformability to that of native normal tissue. Using the measured hyperelastic parameters, we were able to assess whether DAT derived from different depots exhibited different intrinsic nonlinearities. Results showed that DAT sourced from varying regions of the body exhibited little intrinsic nonlinearity, with no statistically significant differences between the groups.
Abstract Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and is associated with irreversible cardiomyocyte death and pathological remodeling of cardiac tissue. In the ...past 15 years, several animal models have been developed for pre-clinical testing to assess the potential of stem cells for functional tissue regeneration and the attenuation of left ventricular remodeling. The promising results obtained in terms of improved cardiac function, neo-angiogenesis and reduction in infarct size have motivated the initiation of clinical trials in humans. Despite the potential, the results of these studies have highlighted that the effective delivery and retention of viable cells within the heart remain significant challenges that have limited the therapeutic efficacy of cell-based therapies for treating the ischemic myocardium. In this review, we discuss key elements for designing clinically translatable cell-delivery approaches to promote myocardial regeneration. Key topics addressed include cell selection, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow (bMSCs) and adipose tissue (ASCs), including a discussion of their potential mechanisms of action. Natural and synthetic biomaterials that have been investigated as injectable cell delivery vehicles for cardiac applications are critically reviewed, including an analysis of the role of the biomaterials themselves in the therapeutic scheme.
Abstract With the aim of developing a clinically-translatable cell expansion and delivery vehicle for adipose tissue engineering, the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells ...(ASCs) was investigated on microcarriers fabricated from human decellularized adipose tissue (DAT). ASCs seeded on the DAT microcarriers and cultured in adipogenic differentiation medium within a low-shear spinner culture system demonstrated high levels of adipogenic differentiation, as measured by the expression of adipogenic genes, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzyme activity, and intracellular lipid accumulation. In contrast, gelatin microcarrier controls did not demonstrate significant adipogenesis, emphasizing the role of the native matrix in mediating ASC differentiation. Interestingly, ASCs cultured on the DAT microcarriers in proliferation medium expressed elevated levels of the adipogenic markers, suggesting that the DAT provided an adipo-inductive substrate for the human ASCs. In vivo testing of the DAT and gelatin microcarriers in a subcutaneous Wistar rat model confirmed injectability and demonstrated stable volume retention over 28 days. Under histological analysis, the DAT microcarriers demonstrated no evidence of immunogenicity or cytotoxicity, with the DAT supporting cellular infiltration and tissue remodeling. Pre-seeding the DAT microcarriers with allogenic rat ASCs enhanced cellularity and angiogenesis within the implant region.
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