Engineered adipose tissue of predefined shape and dimensions from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) were cultured in growth medium of low calcium concentration to which antioxidants had been added. Large numbers of hAD-MSCs could be obtained within 2 weeks. Scaffolding was made with 3 commonly used biomaterials. Gelatin sponges and polyglycolic acid meshes were cut into small pieces and put into the scaffold pocket, which was made of polypropylene mesh and measured 1.5 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm3. Immune-deficient mice were divided into 3 groups. In Group I, only hAD-MSCs were injected. In Group II, the scaffold alone was implanted and harvested after 2 months in vivo. In Group III, scaffolds were cultured with hAD-MSCs in adipogenic medium for 2 weeks before implantation, and 2 implanted scaffolds were harvested after 2, 4, and 6 months in vivo. All of the successfully harvested scaffolds were filled with newly formed adipose tissue and had retained their predefined shape and dimensions. New blood vessels had also grown into the newly formed adipose tissue. Adipose tissue of specific shape and 3 dimensions was regenerated in vivo using tissue engineering of hAD-MSCs and scaffolding made with 3 common biomaterials.