title: Adipose-derived stem cell differentiation as a basic tool for vascularized adipose tissue engineering.
abstract: The development of in vitro adipose tissue constructs is highly desired to cope with the increased demand for substitutes to replace damaged soft tissue after high graded burns, deformities or tumor removal. To achieve clinically relevant dimensions, vascularization of soft tissue constructs becomes inevitable but still poses a challenge. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) represent a promising cell source for the setup of vascularized fatty tissue constructs as they can be differentiated into adipocytes and endothelial cells in vitro and are thereby available in sufficiently high cell numbers. This review summarizes the currently known characteristics of ASCs and achievements in adipogenic and endothelial differentiation in vitro. Further, the interdependency of adipogenesis and angiogenesis based on the crosstalk of endothelial cells, stem cells and adipocytes is addressed at the molecular level. Finally, achievements and limitations of current co-culture conditions for the construction of vascularized adipose tissue are evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Process Analysis and Technology (PA&T), Reutlingen University, Alteburgstraße 150, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ann-Cathrin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Volz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology IGVP, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Process Analysis and Technology (PA&T), Reutlingen University, Alteburgstraße 150, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kluger
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Adipose-derived stem cells; Co-culture; Crosstalk; Differentiation; Endothelial cells; Vascularized adipose tissue engineering