title: Surgical sutures filled with adipose-derived stem cells promote wound healing.
abstract: Delayed wound healing and scar formation are among the most frequent complications after surgical interventions. Although biodegradable surgical sutures present an excellent drug delivery opportunity, their primary function is tissue fixation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) act as trophic mediators and are successful in activating biomaterials. Here biodegradable sutures were filled with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) to provide a pro-regenerative environment at the injured site. Results showed that after filling, ASCs attach to the suture material, distribute equally throughout the filaments, and remain viable in the suture. Among a broad panel of cytokines, cell-filled sutures constantly release vascular endothelial growth factor to supernatants. Such conditioned media was evaluated in an in vitro wound healing assay and showed a significant decrease in the open wound area compared to controls. After suturing in an ex vivo wound model, cells remained in the suture and maintained their metabolic activity. Furthermore, cell-filled sutures can be cryopreserved without losing their viability. This study presents an innovative approach to equip surgical sutures with pro-regenerative features and allows the treatment and fixation of wounds in one step, therefore representing a promising tool to promote wound healing after injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ann Katharin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reckhenrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Bianca Manuela
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kirsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thilo Ludwig
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schenck
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rezaeian
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harder
authors.affiliation: Chair for Orthopaedics and Sport Orthopaedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foehr
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Günther
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Machens
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: José Tomás
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Egaña
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis; D012038:Regeneration; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D016207:Cytokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A