title: Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells for tendon repair.
abstract: The goal of primary tendon repair is to increase tensile strength at the time of mobilization. Tendon repair and regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells have been described in several studies; however, the use of adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) for tendon repair has only recently been considered. In order to establish a suitable experimental model for the primary tendon repair using ASCs, this chapter describes the detailed methods for: (1) isolating stem cells from adipose tissue, (2) generation of a primary tendon injury and repair model, (3) evaluating functional restoration by measuring tensile strength, and (4) investigating the mechanisms involved in ASC-mediated tendon healing by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Topical administration of ASCs to the site of injury accelerates tendon repair, as exhibited by a significant increase in tensile strength, direct differentiation of ASCs toward tenocytes and endothelial cells, and increases in angiogenic growth factors. These findings suggest that ASCs may have a positive effect on primary tendon repair and may be useful for future cell-based therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Cagri
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizuno
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014945:Wound Healing