Characterization and differentiation into adipocytes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adipose tissue and amniotic fluid / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potentially very useful for regenerative and reparative medicine as well as therapeutic possibilities. The aim of this study is to examine the ability of ADSCs and AFSCs to be phenotypically and functionally differentiated into adipocyte and to determine the appropriate stem cell source and conditions for efficient adipocyte regeneration. METHODS: Adipogenic differentiation was induced by culturing confluent ADSCs and AFSCs in adipogenic medium for 2~4 weeks. During the differentiation inducing period, we evaluated the successful adipogenesis by performing immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR to detect the lipid producibility and several adipogenic gene expressions including lipoprotein lipase (LPL), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 (PPAR gamma2) and adiponectin. RESULTS: ADSCs and AFSCs are expanded easily in vitro and exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology as previously known in MSCs from bone marrow and a commercial source. Flow cytometric analysis showed that ADSCs and AFSCs expressed several CD marker antigens similar to those observed on bone marrow-derived MSCs. Adipogenic induction of ADSCs and AFSCs resulted in the extended cell morphology, intracellular staining of an established lipid dye Oil Red O, and expression of adipocyte-specific genes. CONCLUSION: Both ADSCs and AFSCs successfully differentiate in vitro into adipogenic cells in the presence of the lineage-specific induction factors although ADSC showed the greater capability. Therefore, the results suggest that ADSCs and AFSCs may be an excellent choice for many future tissue engineering strategies and cell-based therapies.

Establishment of an animal model of human hyperplastic scar in nude mice / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an ideal model of human hyperplastic scar (HS) in nude mice, so as to provide us a new model to carry out further studies on the mechanism of HS development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Full skin defect sized 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm was created on the back of 100 nude mice. The defect was thereafter covered with full thickness human skin. After the grafted skin survived, the nude mice were subjected to deep partial thickness burn of the grafted skin with heated copper rod. The development of the hyperplasia of the scar after wound healing was observed histologically and grossly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Grafted full-thickness human skin took and survived well in 86 out of 100 nude mice. There was obvious and continuous hyperplasia of scar in 67 mice (78%). The external appearance and histological features of the HS appeared similar to those in human HS. The average thickness of the scar was 0.34 cm, with the thickest part measuring 0.6 cm. In addition, the time of hyperplastic change lasted for 63 - 217 days in average of 128 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Obvious and continuous scar hyperplasia could be found in this model, and the whole process beginning from wound healing to the formation of HS could be easily observed. The model was therefore suitable and ideal for the study of HS.</p>