Chapter 8 - Stem cell research in tissue engineering and translational medicine

Abstract

The utilization of stem cells for applications in a variety of fields related to regenerative medicine and tissue engineering is an exciting research topic. An assortment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), provide an ideal source for tissue engineering applications due to the absence of ethical concerns, their high availability, and the increasing number of methods for their isolation and expansion. ASCs and BMSCs possess the same multipotency, but substituting adipose tissue for bone marrow, as a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine, is greatly advantageous. ASCs are simple to procure via a method that is less invasive compared to BMSCs. In addition, the percentage of cells from adipose tissue with multipotency is high, mass culture is simple, and the cells function in a manner that is similar, and often better, than BMSCs. Thus human ASCs hold great potential in the field of regenerative medicine. In this chapter, we examine the utilization of ASCs for cartilage tissue engineering, to combat fibrosis/scarring, to improve fat grafting techniques, and further explore utilizing the ASC secretome as a cell-free modality for tissue engineering. Altogether, the regenerative potential of ASCs for tissue engineering is clear, and ultimately, further studies on these topics will provide innovative mechanisms for alleviating some of the limitations that are currently faced in the tissue engineering arena.