Delivery Of Adipose-derived Stem Cells Research Articles

Gelatin microcarriers as an effective adipose-derived stem cells delivery strategy in osteoarthritis treatment

Despite their clinical success, stem cells (SCs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) are limited by lower retention efficiency and restricted paracrine function. The development of effective SCs culture and delivery systems to maintain or promote SCs paracrine function is urgently needed. In this study, we focused on gelatin microcarriers with different sizes as SCs culture scaffold for OA therapy. The effect of culturing adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on different size microcarriers (180 μm and 320 μm) to promote paracrine function was evaluated. The secretome of ADSCs cultured on microcarriers more effectively regulated macrophages and chondrocytes in a direction favorable to OA healing compared to culture plates. In particular, microcarriers with ADSCs effectively reduced the coefficient of friction at the cartilage interface. Injection low-dose ADSCs without and with different size microcarriers into the knee joints in rats' OA model was achieved. Even better OA therapeutic effects were achieved by using smaller size (higher curvature) microcarriers to deliver ADSCs at low doses. Microcarrier-based cell delivery strategies offer potential solution method for OA therapy.

Intrathecal delivery of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in traumatic spinal cord injury: Phase I trial

Intrathecal delivery of autologous culture-expanded adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) could be utilized to treat traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). This Phase I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03308565) included 10 patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A or B at the time of injury. The study’s primary outcome was the safety profile, as captured by the nature and frequency of adverse events. Secondary outcomes included changes in sensory and motor scores, imaging, cerebrospinal fluid markers, and somatosensory evoked potentials. The manufacturing and delivery of the regimen were successful for all patients. The most commonly reported adverse events were headache and musculoskeletal pain, observed in 8 patients. No serious AEs were observed. At final follow-up, seven patients demonstrated improvement in AIS grade from the time of injection. In conclusion, the study met the primary endpoint, demonstrating that AD-MSC harvesting and administration were well-tolerated in patients with traumatic SCI.

Optimal Intravenous Administration Procedure for Efficient Delivery of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are currently being investigated for their therapeutic applications in a wide range of diseases. Although many studies examined peripheral venous administration of MSC, few have investigated the detailed intravenous administration procedures of MSC from their preparation until they enter the body. The current study therefore aimed to explore the most efficient infusion procedure for MSC delivery by preparing and infusing them under various conditions. Canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cADSC) were infused using different infusion apparatuses, suspension solutions, allogenic serum supplementation, infusion time and rates, and cell densities, respectively. Live and dead cell counts were then assessed by manual measurements and flow cytometry. Efficiency of live- and dead-cell infusion and cell viability were calculated from the measured cell counts and compared under each condition. Efficiency of live-cell infusion differed significantly according to the infusion apparatus, infusion rate, and combination of cell density and serum supplementation. Cell viability after infusion differed significantly between the infusion apparatuses. The optimal infusion procedure resulting in the highest cell delivery and viability involved suspending cADSC in normal saline supplemented with 5% allogenic serum at a density of 5 × 105 cells/mL, and infusing them using an automatic infusion device for 15 min. This procedure is therefore recommended as the standard procedure for the intravenous administration of ADSC in terms of cell-delivery efficiency.

PLGA/Gelatin/Hyaluronic Acid Fibrous Membrane Scaffold for Therapeutic Delivery of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Promote Wound Healing.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been suggested to be a preferential material for the delivery of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in wound healing. By incorporating HA in electrospun poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/gelatin (PG) fibrous membrane scaffolds (FMS), we aim to fabricate PLGA/gelatin/HA (PGH) FMS to provide a milieu for 3D culture and delivery of ASCs. The prepared FMS shows adequate cytocompatibility and is suitable for attachment and growth of ASCs. Compared with PG, the PGH offers an enhanced proliferation rate of ASCs, shows higher cell viability, and better maintains an ASC-like phenotype during in vitro cell culture. The ASCs in PGH also show upregulated expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and wound healing. From a rat full-thickness wound healing model, a wound treated with PGH/ASCs can accelerate the wound closure rate compared with wounds treated with PGH, alginate wound dressing, and gauze. From H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, the PGH/ASC treatment can promote wound healing by increasing the epithelialization rate and forming well-organized dermis. This is supported by immunohistochemical staining of macrophages and α-smooth muscle actin, where early recruitment of macrophages, macrophage polarization, and angiogenesis was found due to the delivered ASCs. The content of type III collagen is also higher than type I collagen within the newly formed skin tissue, implying scarless wound healing. Taken together, using PGH FMS as a topical wound dressing material for the therapeutic delivery of ASCs, a wound treated with PGH/ASCs was shown to accelerate wound healing significantly in rats, through modulating immunoreaction, promoting angiogenesis, and reducing scar formation at the wound sites.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Diabetic Wound: From Basic Study to Clinical Application.

Diabetic wounds significantly affect the life quality of patients and may cause amputation and mortality if poorly managed. Recently, a wide range of cell-based methods has emerged as novel therapeutic methods in treating diabetic wounds. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are considered to have the potential for widespread clinical application of diabetic wounds treatment in the future. This review summarized the mechanisms of ASCs to promote diabetic wound healing, including the promotion of immunomodulation, neovascularization, and fibro synthesis. We also review the current progress and limitations of clinical studies using ASCs to intervene in diabetic wound healing. New methods of ASC delivery have been raised in recent years to provide a standardized and convenient use of ASCs.

Sugar-Assisted Cryopreservation of Stem Cell-Laden Gellan Gum-Collagen Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels.

Tissue engineering involves the transplantation of stem cell-laden hydrogels as synthetic constructs to replace damaged tissues. However, their time-consuming fabrication procedures are hurdles to widespread application in clinics. Fortunately, similar to cell banking, synthetic tissues could be cryopreserved for subsequent central distribution. Here, we report the use of trehalose and gellan gum as biomacromolecules to form a cryopreservable yet directly implantable hydrogel system for adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) delivery. Through a modified cell encapsulation method and a preincubation step, adequate cryoprotection was afforded at 0.75 M trehalose to the encapsulated ADSCs. At this concentration, trehalose demonstrated lower propensity to induce apoptosis than 10% DMSO, the current gold standard cryoprotectant. Moreover, when cultured along with trehalose after thawing, the encapsulated ADSCs retained their stem cell-like phenotype and osteogenic differentiation capacity. Taken together, this study demonstrates the feasibility of an “off-the-shelf” biomacromolecule-based synthetic tissue to be applied in widespread tissue engineering applications.

Cryogel Scaffold-Mediated Delivery of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promotes Healing in Murine Model of Atrophic Non-Union.

Non-union is defined as the permanent failure of a bone to heal and occurs clinically in 5% of fractures. Atrophic non-unions, characterized by absent/minimal callus formation, are poorly understood and difficult to treat. We recently demonstrated a novel murine model of atrophic non-union in the 3.6Col1A1-tk (Col1-tk) mouse, wherein dosing with the nucleoside analog ganciclovir (GCV) was used to deplete proliferating osteoprogenitor cells, leading to a radiographic and biomechanical non-union after the mid-shaft femur fracture. Using this Col1-tk atrophic non-union model, we hypothesized that the scaffold-mediated lentiviral delivery of doxycycline-inducible BMP-2 transgenes would induce osteogenesis at the fracture site. Cryogel scaffolds were used as a vehicle for GFP+ and BMP-2+ cell delivery to the site of non-union. Cryogel scaffolds were biofabricated through the cross-linking of a chitosan–gelatin polymer solution at subzero temperatures, which results in a macroporous, spongy structure that may be advantageous for a bone regeneration application. Murine adipose-derived stem cells were seeded onto the cryogel scaffolds, where they underwent lentiviral transduction. Following the establishment of atrophic non-unions in the femurs of Col1-tk mice (4 weeks post-fracture), transduced, seeded scaffolds were surgically placed around the site of non-union, and the animals were given doxycycline water to induce BMP-2 production. Controls included GFP+ cells on the cryogel scaffolds, acellular scaffolds, and sham (no scaffold). Weekly radiographs were taken, and endpoint analysis included micro-CT and histological staining. After 2 weeks of implantation, the BMP-2+ scaffolds were infiltrated with cartilage and woven bone at the non-union site, while GFP+ scaffolds had woven bone formation. Later, timepoints of 8 weeks had woven bone and vessel formation within the BMP-2+ and GFP + scaffolds with cortical bridging of the original fracture site in both groups. Overall, the cell-seeded cryogels promoted osseous healing. However, while the addition of BMP-2 promoted the endochondral ossification, it may provide a slower route to healing. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential for cellularized cryogel scaffolds to enhance the healing of non-unions.

Adaptive Gelatin Microspheres Enhanced Stem Cell Delivery and Integration With Diabetic Wounds to Activate Skin Tissue Regeneration.

The delayed and complicated diabetic wound healing raises clinical and social concerns. The application of stem cells along with hydrogels is an attractive therapeutic approach. However, low cell retention and integration hindered the performance. Herein, gelatin microspheres were fabricated for local delivery of adipose-derived stem cells (from rats, rADSCs), and the effect of rADSCs with microspheres on diabetic wound healing was examined. Uniform, well-dispersed microspheres were fabricated using the microfluidic technique. Due to geometry differences, the proteinase degradation rate for microspheres was four times that of the bulk hydrogel. The obtained gelatin microspheres supported cell's adhesion and proliferation and provided a suitable microenvironment for rADSC survival. For in vivo animal tests, rADSCs were labeled with CM-Dil for tracking purposes. Microspheres were well embedded in the regenerated tissue and demonstrated good biocompatibility and an adaptive biodegradation rate. Histological examination revealed rADSC-loaded gelatin microspheres that significantly accelerated wound healing via promoting M2 macrophage polarization, collagen deposition, angiogenesis associated with peripheral nerve recovery, and hair follicle formation. Notably, the relative fluorescence intensity around the hair follicle was 17-fold higher than that of the blank group, indicating rADSC participated in the healing process via exosomes. Taken together, the rADSC-laden gelatin microspheres provided a promising strategy for local stem cell delivery to improve diabetic wound healing.

Injectable amnion hydrogel-mediated delivery of adipose-derived stem cells for osteoarthritis treatment

Current treatment strategies for osteoarthritis (OA) predominantly address symptoms with limited disease-modifying potential. There is a growing interest in the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for OA treatment and developing biomimetic injectable hydrogels as cell delivery systems. Biomimetic injectable hydrogels can simulate the native tissue microenvironment by providing appropriate biological and chemical cues for tissue regeneration. A biomimetic injectable hydrogel using amnion membrane (AM) was developed which can self-assemble in situ and retain the stem cells at the target site. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of intraarticular injections of AM hydrogels with and without ADSCs in reducing inflammation and cartilage degeneration in a collagenase-induced OA rat model. A week after the induction of OA, rats were treated with control (phosphate-buffered saline), ADSCs, AM gel, and AM-ADSCs. Inflammation and cartilage regeneration was evaluated by joint swelling, analysis of serum by cytokine profiling and Raman spectroscopy, gross appearance, and histology. Both AM and ADSC possess antiinflammatory and chondroprotective properties to target the sites of inflammation in an osteoarthritic joint, thereby reducing the inflammation-mediated damage to the articular cartilage. The present study demonstrated the potential of AM hydrogel to foster cartilage tissue regeneration, a comparable regenerative effect of AM hydrogel and ADSCs, and the synergistic antiinflammatory and chondroprotective effects of AM and ADSC to regenerate cartilage tissue in a rat OA model.

Magnetic guidance for nerve repair

Biomaterials After an injury, peripheral nerve regeneration is possible but often fails to fully restore function, in part because of the need for slow-moving axons to traverse long distances. Although adult stem cell therapies have shown some promise, there is a challenge in getting enough cells to the injury. Soto et al. enhanced adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell delivery by loading the cells with citric acid–coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Tests were done in rats using a Wallerian degeneration model of the sciatic nerve. By magnetically guiding the cells to the injury site, they were able to improve recovery, with partial conservation of the nerve structure and indications of remyelination. Acta Biomater. 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.050 (2021).

Injectable Hydrogel ­Mediated Delivery of Gene-Engineered Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Enhanced Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic and degenerative joint disease, remains a challenge in treatment due to the lack of disease-modifying therapies. As a promising therapeutic agent, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) perform an effective anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective paracrine effect that could be enhanced by genetic modification. Unfortunately, direct cell delivery without matrix support often results in poor viability of therapeutic cells. Herein, a hydrogel implant approach that enabled intra-articular delivery of gene-engineered ADSCs was developed for improved therapeutic outcomes in a surgically induced rat OA model. An injectable extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking hydrogel was prepared as the carrier for cell delivery, providing a favorable micro-environment for ADSCs spreading and proliferation. The ECM-mimicking hydrogel could reduce cell death during and post-injection. Additionally, ADSCs were genetically modified to overexpress transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), one of the paracrine factors that exert an anti-inflammatory and pro-anabolic effect. The gene-engineered ADSCs overexpressing TGF-β1 (T-ADSCs) perform an enhanced paracrine effect on OA-like chondrocytes, which effectively decreases the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α ) and increases the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. In the surgically induced rat OA model, intra-articular injection of T-ADSCs-loaded hydrogel remarkedly reduced the cartilage degeneration, joint inflammation, and loss of subchondral bone. Taken together, this study provides a potential biomaterial strategy for enhanced OA treatment by delivering the gene-engineered ADSCs within an ECM-mimicking hydrogel.

Injectable hydrogel mediated delivery of gene-engineered adipose-derived stem cells for enhanced osteoarthritis treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic and degenerative joint disease, remains a challenge in treatment due to the lack of disease-modifying therapies. As a promising therapeutic agent, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have an effective anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective paracrine effect that can be enhanced by genetic modification. Unfortunately, direct cell delivery without matrix support often results in poor viability of therapeutic cells. Herein, a hydrogel implant approach that enabled intra-articular delivery of gene-engineered ADSCs was developed for improved therapeutic outcomes in a surgically induced rat OA model. An injectable extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking hydrogel was prepared as the carrier for cell delivery, providing a favorable microenvironment for ADSC spreading and proliferation. The ECM-mimicking hydrogel could reduce cell death during and post injection. Additionally, ADSCs were genetically modified to overexpress transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), one of the paracrine factors that exert an anti-inflammatory and pro-anabolic effect. The gene-engineered ADSCs overexpressing TGF-β1 (T-ADSCs) had an enhanced paracrine effect on OA-like chondrocytes, which effectively decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. In a surgically induced rat OA model, intra-articular injection of the T-ADSC-loaded hydrogel markedly reduced cartilage degeneration, joint inflammation, and the loss of the subchondral bone. Taken together, this study provides a potential biomaterial strategy for enhanced OA treatment by delivering the gene-engineered ADSCs within an ECM-mimicking hydrogel.

Human decellularized adipose tissue hydrogels as a culture platform for human adipose-derived stem cell delivery.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been widely researched and used as a drug therapy in many fields like disease treatment and tissue engineering. However, ADSCs are susceptible to the surrounding environment. The emergence of acellular extracellular matrix provides a solution, which can serve as biomaterial scaffold as well as original ecological niche for the stem cells. Therefore, we propose the hypothesis that human decellularized adipose tissues (hDAT) are processed into injectable hydrogels and then mixed evenly with ADSCs. So that the ADSCs embedded-hydrogels could directly carry the stem cells to the appropriate sites. The hDAT hydrogel could provide microenvironmental protection for ADSCs. In this study, we successfully made human decellularized adipose tissue hydrogel (hDAT-gel), which was temperature-sensitive, liquid at 4°C and semi-solid at 37°C. When the ADSCs were embedded in hDAT-gel, they survived well and continued to grow well in layers. When the pre-gel containing ADSCs was injected subcutaneously into nude mice, the sample results after 15 min showed gelation occurred in situ. These results suggested that hDAT-gel could provide a culture platform for ADSCs delivery.

Engineering of injectable hydrogels associate with Adipose-Derived stem cells delivery for anti-cardiac hypertrophy agents

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) treatment offers support to new methods of transporting baseline cell protein endothelial cells in alginate (A)/silk sericin (SS) lamellar-coated antioxidant system (ASS@L) to promote acute myocardial infarction. In the synthesized frames of ASS, the ratio of fixity modules, pores, the absorption and inflammation was detected at ka (65ka), 151 ± 40.12 μm, 92.8%, 43.2 ± 2.58 and 30.10 ± 2.1. In this context, ADSC-ASS@L was developed and the corresponding material was stable and physically chemical for the development of cardiac regenerative applications. ADSC-ASS@L injectable hydrogels in vitro examination demonstrated higher cell survival rates and pro-angiogenic and pro-Inflammatory expression factors, demonstrating the favorable effect of fractional ejections, fibre-areas, and low infracture vessel densities. In successful cardiac damage therapy in acute myocardial infarction the innovative ADSC injection hydrogel approach may be helpful. The approach could also be effective during coronary artery hypertrophy for successful heart damage treatment.

Human decellularized adipose matrix derived hydrogel assists mesenchymal stem cells delivery and accelerates chronic wound healing.

Biological scaffolds based stem cell delivery methods have emerged as a promising approach for tissue repair and regeneration. Here we developed a hydrogel biological scaffold from human decellularized adipose matrix (hDAM) for human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) delivery to accelerate chronic wound healing. The hDAM hydrogel was prepared by pepsin mediated digestion and pH controlled neutralization. The morphology, survival, proliferation, and angiogenic paracrine activity of hASCs cultured in the hydrogel were assessed. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of the hASCs-hydrogel composite for impaired wound healing was evaluated by using a full-thickness wound model on diabetic mouse. The developed hDAM hydrogel was a thermosensitive hydrogel, presented the biochemical complexity of native extracellular matrix and formed a porous nanofiber structure after gelation. The hydrogel can support hASCs adhesion, survival, and proliferation. Compared to standard culture condition, hASCs cultured in the hydrogel exhibited enhanced paracrine activity with increased secretion of hepatocyte growth factor. In the diabetic mice model with excisional full-thickness skin wounds, mice treated with the hASCs-hydrogel composite displayed accelerated wound closure and increased neovascularization. Our results suggested that the developed hDAM hydrogel can provide a favorable microenvironment for hASCs with augmented regeneration potential to accelerate chronic wound healing.

Extracellular matrix-based biomaterials as adipose-derived stem cell delivery vehicles in wound healing: a comparative study between a collagen scaffold and two xenografts

BackgroundStem cell therapies represent a promising tool in regenerative medicine. Considering the drawbacks of direct stem cell injections (e.g. poor cell localisation), extracellular matrix-based biomaterials (e.g. scaffolds and tissue grafts), due to their compositional biofunctionality and cytocompatibility, are under investigation as potential stem cell carriers.MethodsThe present study assessed the potential of three commercially available extracellular matrix-based biomaterials [a collagen/glycosaminoglycan scaffold (Integra™ Matrix Wound Dressing), a decellularised porcine peritoneum (XenoMEM™) and a porcine urinary bladder (MatriStem™)] as human adipose-derived stem cell delivery vehicles.ResultsBoth tissue grafts induced significantly (p < 0.01) higher human adipose-derived stem cell proliferation in vitro over the collagen scaffold, especially when the cells were seeded on the basement membrane side. Human adipose-derived stem cell phenotype and trilineage differentiation potential was preserved in all biomaterials. In a splinted wound healing nude mouse model, in comparison to sham, biomaterials alone and cells alone groups, all biomaterials seeded with human adipose-derived stem cells showed a moderate improvement of wound closure, a significantly (p < 0.05) lower wound gap and scar index and a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of mature collagen deposition and angiogenesis (the highest, p < 0.01, was observed for the cell loaded at the basement membrane XenoMEM™ group). All cell-loaded biomaterial groups retained more cells at the implantation side than the direct injection group, even though they were loaded with half of the cells than the cell injection group.ConclusionsThis study further advocates the use of extracellular matrix-based biomaterials (in particular porcine peritoneum) as human adipose-derived stem cell delivery vehicles.Graphical abstractComparative analysis of a collagen scaffold (Integra™ Matrix Wound Dressing) and two tissue grafts [decellularised porcine peritoneum (XenoMEM™) and porcine urinary bladder (MatriStem™)] as human adipose-derived stem cells carriers

Engineered Cell Sheets for the Effective Delivery of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Tendon-to-Bone Healing

Background: Efforts are being made to treat rotator cuff tears (RCTs) that exhibit poor healing and high retear rates. Tendon-to-bone healing using mesenchymal stem cells is being explored, but research is needed to establish effective delivery options. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of an adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) sheet on mesenchymal stem cell delivery for tendon-to-bone healing of a chronic RCT in rats and to demonstrate that ADSC sheets enhance tendon-to-bone healing. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from rat adipose tissue, and a cell sheet was prepared using a temperature-responsive dish. To evaluate the efficacy of stem cells produced in a sheet for the lesion, the experiment was conducted with 3 groups: repair group, cell sheet transplantation after repair group, and cell sheet–only group. Histological, biomechanical, and micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) results were compared among the groups. Results: Hematoxylin and eosin staining for histomorphological analysis revealed that the cell sheet transplantation after repair group (5.75 ± 0.95) showed statistically significant higher scores than the repair (2.75 ± 0.50) and cell sheet–only (3.25 ± 0.50) groups (P < .001). On safranin O staining, the cell sheet transplantation after repair group (0.51 ± 0.04 mm2) had a larger fibrocartilage area than the repair (0.31 ± 0.06 mm2) and cell sheet–only (0.32 ± 0.03 mm2) groups (P = .001). On micro-CT, bone volume/total volume values were significantly higher in the cell sheet transplantation after repair group (23.98% ± 1.75%) than in the other groups (P < .039); there was no significant difference in the other values. On the biomechanical test, the cell sheet transplantation after repair group (4 weeks after repair) showed significantly higher results than the other groups (P < .005). Conclusion: Our study shows that engineered stem cells are a clinically feasible stem cell delivery tool for rotator cuff repair. Clinical Relevance: This laboratory study provides evidence that ADSCs are effective in repairing RCTs, which are common sports injuries.

Correction to: Multi-Spheroid-Loaded Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Carrier Preserves Its Spheroid Shape and Improves In Vivo Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Delivery and Engraftment.

Unfortunately, the online published article has error in figure2 caption.

Prevention of irradiation-induced damage to salivary glands by local delivery of adipose-derived stem cells via hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels

Most patients with head and neck cancer experience salivary gland dysfunction after chemo- and radiotherapies. There is currently no available treatment for this condition. Intervention with stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach. Although some progress has been made with systemic delivery of stem cells, it remains challenging to deliver a sufficient number of stem cells to the damaged tissue. Furthermore, local delivery of stem cells involves frequent cell loss. Herein, we evaluated the ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) with or without hydrogel to prevent salivary gland damage. Salivary gland cells were isolated from irradiated mouse submandibular glands. These cells exhibited higher expression levels of amylase, mucin, and aquaporin-5 when co-cultured with ASCs. Local delivery of ASCs into the salivary gland, using in situ-forming hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel (HA gel) as a carrier, revealed that ASCs remained at the injection site for a longer duration, compared with ASCs that were injected without HA gel. The salivary gland exhibited better function and morphology when ASCs were injected using an HA gel. In conclusion, retention of locally delivered ASCs by HA gels can enhance the paracrine effect of ASCs, thereby preventing irradiation-induced damage to the salivary gland and subsequent dysfunction.

Ex-Vivo Stimulation of Adipose Stem Cells by Growth Factors and Fibrin-Hydrogel Assisted Delivery Strategies for Treating Nerve Gap-Injuries.

Peripheral nerve injuries often result in lifelong disabilities despite advanced surgical interventions, indicating the urgent clinical need for effective therapies. In order to improve the potency of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) for nerve regeneration, the present study focused primarily on ex-vivo stimulation of ASC by using growth factors, i.e., nerve growth factor (NGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and secondly on fibrin-hydrogel nerve conduits (FNC) assisted ASC delivery strategies, i.e., intramural vs. intraluminal loading. ASC were stimulated by NGF or VEGF for 3 days and the resulting secretome was subsequently evaluated in an in vitro axonal outgrowth assay. For the animal study, a 10 mm sciatic nerve gap-injury was created in rats and reconstructed using FNC loaded with ASC. Secretome derived from NGF-stimulated ASC promoted significant axonal outgrowth from the DRG-explants in comparison to all other conditions. Thus, NGF-stimulated ASC were further investigated in animals and found to enhance early nerve regeneration as evidenced by the increased number of β-Tubulin III+ axons. Notably, FNC assisted intramural delivery enabled the improvement of ASC’s therapeutic efficacy in comparison to the intraluminal delivery system. Thus, ex-vivo stimulation of ASC by NGF and FNC assisted intramural delivery may offer new options for developing effective therapies.