Dose-dependent dominance: How cell densities design stromal cell functions during soft tissue healing.

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)

Regular soft tissue healing relies on the well-organized interaction of different stromal cell types with endothelial cells. However, spatiotemporal conditions might provoke high densities of one special stromal cell type, potentially leading to impaired healing. Detailed knowledge of the functions of rivaling stromal cell types aiming for tissue contraction and stabilization as well as vascular support is mandatory. By the application of an in vitro approach comprising the evaluation of cell proliferation, cell morphology, myofibroblastoid differentiation, and cytokine release, we verified a density-dependent modulation of these functions among juvenile and adult fibroblasts, pericytes, and adipose-derived stem cells during their interaction with microvascular endothelial cells in cocultures. Results indicate that juvenile fibroblasts rather support angiogenesis via paracrine regulation at the early stage of healing, a role potentially compromised in adult fibroblasts. In contrast, pericytes showed a more versatile character aiming at angiogenesis, vessel stabilization, and tissue contraction. Such a universal character was even more pronounced among adipose-derived stem cells. The explicit knowledge of the characteristic functions of stromal cell types is a prerequisite for the development of new analytical and therapeutic approaches for impaired soft tissue healing. The pres

Evidence level

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

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