title: Adipose Tissue and Extracellular Matrix Development by Injectable Decellularized Adipose Matrix Loaded with Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a significant need for soft-tissue replacements in the field of reconstructive surgery. Decellularized adipose tissues were heparin crosslinked and loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). This injectable system was evaluated for its adipogenic and angiogenic capabilities for in vivo adipose tissue regeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Decellularized adipose tissues were harvested from the inguinal fat pads of C57BL/6J mice, minced, and heparinized before being loaded with bFGF. Decellularized adipose tissues without bFGF served as a control. In vivo adipose neotissue formation, neovascularization, and volume stability were evaluated over a period of 12 weeks. After 6 or 12 weeks, mice were killed and the newly formed adipose tissues, together with the contralateral endogenous adipose tissues, were harvested for gross, volumetric, histologic, and immunohistochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decellularized adipose tissues that were heparinized and loaded with bFGF induced significant de novo adipose neotissue formation, with progressive tissue growth and neovascularization from 6 to 12 weeks. The adipose neotissues exhibited mature adipose morphology and extracellular matrix that closely resembled that of the endogenous adipose tissue. In contrast, decellularized adipose tissues without bFGF induced limited adipose neotissue formation and were completely resorbed by the end of 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the high efficiency of heparinized decellularized adipose tissue matrix loaded with bFGF in promoting adipose neotissue formation and neovascularization with long-term volume stability.
authors.affiliation: Singapore.|From the Faculty of Dentistry and the Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: Shipin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Singapore.|From the Faculty of Dentistry and the Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: Qiqi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Singapore.|From the Faculty of Dentistry and the Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Singapore.|From the Faculty of Dentistry and the Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: Wei Seong
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Toh
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002474:Cell-Free System; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D006493:Heparin