Cotransplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells in a modular construct drives vascularization in SCID/bg mice.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

A modular approach to adipose tissue engineering was explored by embedding adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSC) in sub-mm-sized collagen rods or "modules" and coating with human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC). After subcutaneous injection into a SCID/Bg mouse, HMEC on modules containing embedded adMSC appeared to detach from the modules to form vessels as early as day 3, as confirmed by the human EC-specific UEA-1 lectin stain, and these vessels persisted for up to 90 days. Vessel numbers decreased over 14 days, but vessel size increased suggesting a maturing of the vasculature. Vessel perfusion with the host was confirmed at 21 days by microCT. HMEC on modules without embedded adMSC remained attached to the module surface at day 3 and UEA-1 staining disappeared over 14 days suggesting cell death. It appeared that cotransplantation with adMSC had an anti-apoptotic and proangiogenic effect on HMEC. The early revascularization strategy may be successful in supporting adMSC viability and differentiation, as a preliminary study suggests progressive fat accumulation in the HMEC+adMSC implants: ∼60% of the implant area stained positive for Oil Red O by day 90. adMSC-embedded modules without HMEC surface coating did not show similar levels of Oil Red O staining. All implant volumes decreased over the time course of the experiment, yet HMEC+adMSC module implants we

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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