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The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of collagen-alginate composition on the size and shape of microbeads and the proliferation and osteogenic properties of microencapsulated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. Canine ASCs were microencapsulated in mixtures of various collagen-alginate compositions using a vibrational technologic encapsulator. The size and shape of the resultant microbeads were measured using a light field microscope and the viability of the microencapsulated canine ASCs was evaluated using a live/dead viability/cytotoxicity kit. Proliferation and osteogenic potentials of microencapsulated canine ASCs were evaluated using an alamarBlue proliferation assay and an alkaline phosphatase assay, respectively. As the collagen ratio increased, the size and size variation of microbeads increased and the shape of microbeads became more irregular. Nonetheless, homogeneous microbeads were created with no significant difference in size and shape, in the range of 0.75% alginate mixed with 0.099% collagen solution in 1.2% alginate solution. There were no significant differences in viability of the ASCs in the various collagen-alginate compositions. Both proliferation and osteogenic properties, in vitro, increased with increasing collagen ratio. Microencapsulation of canine ASCs with appropriate collagen-alginate composition increases cell proliferation and osteogenic properties, in vitro, without significant effects on the shape and size of microbeads and cell viability. Microencapsulation with adequate collagen-alginate composition may produce injectable microbeads that could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells.

The purpose of this study was to establish an optimized protocol for the production of alginate-encapsulated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cASCs) and evaluate their suitability for clinical use, including viability, proliferation and in vivo cell retention. Alginate microbeads were formed by vibrational technology and the production of injectable microbeads was performed using various parameters with standard methodology. Microbead toxicity was tested in an animal model. Encapsulated cASCs were evaluated for viability and proliferation in vitro. HEK-293 cells, with or without microencapsulation, were injected into the subcutaneous tissue of mice and were tracked using in vivo bioluminescent imaging to evaluate the retention of transplanted cells. The optimized injectable microbeads were of uniform size and approximately 250 µm in diameter. There was no strong evidence of in vivo toxicity for the alginate beads. The cells remained viable after encapsulation, and there was evidence of in vitro proliferation within the microcapsules. In vivo bioluminescent imaging showed that alginate encapsulation improved the retention of transplanted cells and the encapsulated cells remained viable in vivo for 7 days. Encapsulation enhances the retention of viable cells in vivo and might represent a potential strategy to increase the therapeutic potency and efficacy of stem cells.

Recent studies have reported that stem cells can be isolated from a wide range of tissues including bone marrow, fatty tissue, adipose tissue and placenta. Moreover, several studies also suggest that skin dermis could serve as a source of stem cells, but are of unclear phenotype. Therefore, we isolated and investigated to determine the potential of stem cell within human skin dermis. We isolated cells from human dermis, termed here as human dermis-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hDMSCs) which is able to be isolated by using explants culture method. Our method has an advantage over the enzymatic method as it is easier, less expensive and less cell damage. hDMSCs were maintained in basal culture media and proliferation potential was measured. hDMSCs were highly proliferative and successfully expanded with no additional growth factor. In addition, hDMSCs revealed normal karyotype and expressed high levels of CD90, CD73 and CD105 while did not express the surface markers for CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. Also, we confirmed that hDMSCs possess the capacity to differentiate into multiple lineage including adipocyte, osteocyte, chondrocyte and precursor of hepatocyte lineage. Considering these results, we suggest that hDMSCs might be a valuable source of stem cells and could potentially be a useful source of clinical application.

A better understanding of the organ specific factors that regulate the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the target organ is essential for optimization of strategies to improve the repair after injury. In the present study, we showed that the kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a well-known kidney-specific biomarker, enhanced the in vitro migration capacity of MSCs as a potent kidney-specific chemo-attractant or an inducer. The in vitro roles were verified by migration assay using KIM1-PK1 cell lines, the mouse proximal tubular epithelial cells (mPTEs) and recombinant human KIM-1 proteins (rhKIM-1). Immunofluorescence staining displayed specific ectodomain binding of KIM-1 on the surface of MSCs. Upregulation of chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) protein when treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was shown. The effect of KIM-1 on migration of MSCs was augmented by TNF-α pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner, and reduced by AMD3100, an antagonist of CXCR4. These results suggest that KIM-1 is a potential chemo-ligand of CXCR4 and may play an important role in kidney-specific migration of MSCs via interaction between KIM-1 and CXCR4.

Repair of bone defects is a difficult clinical problem for reconstructive surgeons. Bone tissue engineering using an appropriate scaffold with cells is a new therapy for the repair of bone defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro osteogenesis of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) cultured in a combination of collagen I gel and a porous serum-derived albumin scaffold. A serum-derived albumin scaffold was prepared with canine serum by cross-linking and freeze-drying procedures. Ad-MSCs were seeded into serum-derived albumin scaffolds with or without collagen I gel, and were exposed to osteogenic differentiation conditions in vitro. After 28 days of in vitro culture, the distribution and osteogenic differentiation of Ad-MSCs cultured in the scaffold were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and calcium colorimetric assay. Ad-MSCs showed more homogeneous distribution and osteogenic differentiation in the scaffold with collagen I gel than without collagen I gel. ALP activity and extracellular matrix mineralization in the construct with type I collagen were significantly higher than in the construct without type I collagen (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of collagen I gel and the serum-derived albumin scaffold enhanced osteogenic differentiation and homogenous distribution of Ad-MSCs.

Previous animal studies have shown that transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into spinal cord lesions enhances axonal regeneration and promotes functional recovery. We isolated the MSCs derived from fat, bone marrow, Wharton's jelly and umbilical cord blood (UCB) positive for MSC markers and negative for hematopoietic cell markers. Their effects on the regeneration of injured canine spinal cords were compared. Spinal cord injury was induced by balloon catheter compression. Dogs with injured spinal cords were treated with only matrigel or matrigel mixed with each type of MSCs. Olby and modified Tarlov scores, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects. The different MSC groups showed significant improvements in locomotion at 8 weeks after transplantation (P<0.05). This recovery was accompanied by increased numbers of surviving neuron and neurofilament-positive fibers in the lesion site. Compared to the control, the lesion sizes were smaller, and fewer microglia and reactive astrocytes were found in the spinal cord epicenter of all MSC groups. Although there were no significant differences in functional recovery among the MSCs groups, UCB-derived MSCs (UCSCs) induced more nerve regeneration and anti-inflammation activity (P<0.05). Transplanted MSCs survived for 8 weeks and reduced IL-6 and COX-2 levels, which may have promoted neuronal regeneration in the spinal cord. Our data suggest that transplantation of MSCs promotes functional recovery after SCI. Furthermore, application of UCSCs led to more nerve regeneration, neuroprotection and less inflammation compared to other MSCs.

Alternative sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for replacing bone marrow (BM) have been extensively investigated in the field of bone tissue engineering. The purpose of this study was to compare the osteogenic potential of canine MSCs derived from adipose tissue (AT), BM, umbilical cord blood (UCB), and Wharton's jelly (WJ) using in vitro culture techniques and in vivo orthotopic implantation assays. After canine MSCs were isolated from various tissues, the proliferation and osteogenic potential along with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production were measured and compared in vitro. For the in vivo assay, MSCs derived from each type of tissue were mixed with β-tricalcium phosphate and implanted into segmental bone defects in dogs. Among the different types of MSCs, AT-MSCs had a higher proliferation potential and BM-MSCs produced the most VEGF. AT-MSCs and UCB-MSCs showed greater in vitro osteogenic potential compared to the other cells. Radiographic and histological analyses showed that all tested MSCs had similar osteogenic capacities, and the level of new bone formation was much higher with implants containing MSCs than cell-free implants. These results indicate that AT-MSCs, UCB-MSCs, and WJ-MSCs can potentially be used in place of BM-MSCs for clinical bone engineering procedures.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as a delivery carrier of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on bone regeneration in athymic murine calvarial bone defect. Paired-critical size defects in nude rat skull were made. The right-side defects received ASCs/ADM or only ADM, whereas the left-side defect was not treated. In 3D images, new bone formation in the ASCs/ADM group was apparent at 4 wk, but in the ADM group at 8 wk. At 4 and 8 wk, bone mineral density and tissue volume in rats that received ASCs/ADM were significantly greater than rats that received ADM and control groups. Histological examination revealed that the defect was repaired by bone in the ASCs/ADM group, whereas only minimal bone island with fibrous connection was observed in the control group. In histomorphometric analysis, the total healing score in the ASCs/ADM group at 4 wk was significantly higher than the ADM and negative control group, whereas the score of 8 wk was similar between the ASCs/ADM and ADM group. ASCs/ADM implants promote new bone formation more rapidly than ADM only or no treatment. ADM seeded with ASCs may be potentially useful as a future biomaterial option in bone implants., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) are a promising source of cells for bone tissue engineering. Matrigel is a basement membrane extract containing multiple extracellular components. This mixture may promote the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and provide a more appropriate microenvironment for transplanted cells. Here, we investigated the effect of Matrigel on the osteogenic potential of Ad-MSCs. Canine Ad-MSCs were cultured in 2D and 3D matrices and implanted into subcutaneous pouches of dogs either with or without Matrigel. Culture mineralization, cell adhesion efficiency, cell proliferation, osteoid matrix production and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activities were quantified and compared. Ad-MSCs grown in 2D cultures with Matrigel showed higher levels of calcium deposition and ALP activity than those grown in the absence of Matrigel under osteogenic conditions. In 3D cultures, the cells cultivated with Matrigel showed greater attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation than those grown without Matrigel. In vivo, Ad-MSCs implanted with Matrigel showed higher osteogenic potential than those without Matrigel. In conclusion, these data suggest that the use of Matrigel can increase the osteogenic potential of canine Ad-MSCs.