title: Implantation of preadipocyte-loaded hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds into nude mice to evaluate potential for soft tissue engineering.
abstract: The reconstruction of soft tissue defects following extensive deep burns or tumor resections remains an unresolved problem in plastic and reconstructive surgery since adequate implant materials are still not available. Preadipocytes, immature precursor cells found between mature adipocytes in adipose tissue, are a potential material for soft tissue engineering since they can proliferate and differentiate into adipose tissue after transplantation. In previous studies, we identified hyaluronan benzyl ester (HYAFF 11) sponges to be promising carrier matrices. This study now evaluates, in vitro and in vivo, a new sponge architecture with pores of 400 microm either made of plain HYAFF 11 or HYAFF 11 coated with the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid. Human preadipocytes were isolated, seeded onto carriers and implanted into nude athymic mice. Explants harvested after 3, 8, and 12 weeks were examined for macroscopical appearance, thickness, weight, pore structure, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Compared to previous studies, we found better penetration of cells into both types of scaffolds, with more extensive formation of new vessels throughout the construct but with only minor adipose tissue. Our encouraging results contribute towards a better seeded and vascularised scaffold but also show that the enhancement of adipogenic conversion of preadipocytes remains a major task for further in vivo experiments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Burn Centre, University Hospital of the Aachen University of Technology, Germany.
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hemmrich
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: von Heimburg
authors.forename: Raoul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rendchen
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Bartolo
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Milella
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pallua
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid