Abstract
A modular approach to adipose tissue engineering was explored by embedding adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSC) in sub-mm-sized collagen rods or "modules" and coating with human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC). After subcutaneous injection into a SCID/Bg mouse, HMEC on modules containing embedded adMSC appeared to detach from the modules to form vessels as early as day 3, as confirmed by the human EC-specific UEA-1 lectin stain, and these vessels persisted for up to 90 days. Vessel numbers decreased over 14 days, but vessel size increased suggesting a maturing of the vasculature. Vessel perfusion with the host was confirmed at 21 days by microCT. HMEC on modules without embedded adMSC remained attached to the module surface at day 3 and UEA-1 staining disappeared over 14 days suggesting cell death. It appeared that cotransplantation with adMSC had an anti-apoptotic and proangiogenic effect on HMEC. The early revascularization strategy may be successful in supporting adMSC viability and differentiation, as a preliminary study suggests progressive fat accumulation in the HMEC+adMSC implants: ∼60% of the implant area stained positive for Oil Red O by day 90. adMSC-embedded modules without HMEC surface coating did not show similar levels of Oil Red O staining. All implant volumes decreased over the time course of the experiment, yet HMEC+adMSC module implants were larger than adMSC-only implants at day 90. Collagen gel is mechanically weak and contracts in vivo making it unsuitable as a biomaterial for adipose tissue engineering where volume maintenance is critical. When combined with an appropriate biomaterial, the modular approach to adipose tissue engineering may represent a successful strategy to engineer soft tissue substitutes of clinical relevance.