Background: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) may have a potential dual role in soft tissue augmentation by suppressing inflammation and promoting regeneration. Due to these properties, there is increasing interest in their potential use in autologous fat grafting, particularly to the breast.
Objectives: The authors isolate and compare ADSC derived from abdominal and breast tissues with a hypothesis that different adipose tissue sources may demonstrate different functional characteristics affecting outcomes in autologous cell transplantation in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
Methods: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from abdominal and breast tissues were isolated and compared in terms of surface marker expression, differentiation capabilities, and both fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and receptor expression. Immunophenotype of macrophages was also investigated using cell surface markers following a 7-day co-culture period with ADSC.
Results: Results showed similar cell surface phenotype and multilineage differentiation capabilities of ADSC derived from abdominal and breast tissues. Variations of FGF expression were demonstrated on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, with a significantly higher expression of FGF2 seen in breast ADSC. Following the 7-day co-culture period, increased expression of the anti-inflammatory surface marker CD206 was identified, with decreased CD16 and human leukocyte antigen-DR on macrophages co-cultured with ADSC compared with controls.
Conclusions: The data indicate similarities between ADSC derived from abdominal and breast tissues. Significant differences were seen, however, in the expression of FGF2, which is important in angiogenesis and wound healing. The results support the utility of ADSC in cell-based therapies such as autologous fat grafting.
Keywords: ADSC; adipose stem cells; breast stem cells; fat grafting; inflammation; mesenchymal stem cells; research.