title: Preliminary report of in vitro reconstruction of a vascularized tendonlike structure: a novel application for adipose-derived stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A greater supply of tendinous tissue can be obtained through tissue engineering technology with increasing application of adult stem cells. It is well known that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), found in abundance in adipose tissue, have the same differentiating capacity as mesenchymal stem cells yet have the advantage of being easily isolated. In the present study, we combined the great facility of ADSCs to differentiate with the application of an external mechanical stimulus to successfully create an in vitro reconstructed tendonlike structure with a microcapillary network.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hyalonect meshes (Fidia Advanced Biopolymers, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy) were used as scaffold. Human ADSCs were seeded onto the biomaterials, and the cell/scaffold constructs were cultured under mechanical stress for up to 15 days. Human tenocytes were used in the same conditions as control. Performance was assessed by histology, immunochemistry, ultrastructure, and biomolecular analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adipose-derived stem cells seeded onto Hyalonect adhered and differentiated along the entire surface of the biomaterial and began to infiltrate within its structure. Subsequently, endothelial cells migrated, forming a capillary in the new extracellular matrix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique allowed for the creation of a vascularized tendon equivalent that could easily be detached from the bioreactor, thus facilitating its implant at the lesion site. These results highlight the biologic performance of biodegradable hyaluronic acid-based (HYAFF-11) scaffolds, which were shown to be suitable for deposition of the autologous extracellular matrix critical for ADSCs differentiation.
authors: From the *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy; and †Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padua, Via G. Colombo 3, Padua, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Vindigni
authors: Carolin
authors: C
authors: Tonello
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Lancerotto
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Abatangelo
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Cortivo
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Zavan
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Bassetto
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000328:Adult; D053687:Adult Stem Cells; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019149:Bioreactors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015415:Biomarkers; C086358:hyaluronic acid benzyl ester; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid