Human adipose-derived stem cells enriched with VEGF-modified mRNA promote angiogenesis and long-term graft survival in a fat graft transplantation model.
Abstract
Fat grafting, as a standard treatment for numerous soft tissue defects, remains unpredictable and technique-dependent. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are promising candidates for cell-assisted therapy to improve graft survival. As free-living fat requires nutritional and respiratory sources to thrive, insufficient and unstable vascularization still impedes hADSC-assisted therapy. Recently, cytotherapy combined with modified mRNA (modRNA) encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been applied for the treatment of ischemia-related diseases. Herein, we hypothesized that VEGF modRNA (modVEGF)-engineered hADSCs could robustly enhance fat survival in a fat graft transplantation model. hADSCs were acquired from lipoaspiration and transfected with modRNAs. Transfection efficiency and expression kinetics of modRNAs in hADSCs were first evaluated in vitro. Next, we applied an in vivo Matrigel plug assay to assess the viability and angiogenic potential of modVEGF-engineered hADSCs at 1 week post-implantation. Finally, modVEGF-engineered hADSCs were co-transplanted with human fat in a murine model to analyze the survival rate, re-vascularization, proliferation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and necrosis of fat grafts over lo...Continue Reading
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