Jong-Hyuk Sung

BACKGROUND: The aim of tissue engineering is to repair and regenerate damaged organs using a combination of cells, biomaterials and growth factors. Mesenchymal stem cells within the stromal-vascular fraction of subcutaneous adipose tissue, that is adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been used in skin repair with satisfactory results. The production and secretion of growth factors has been reported to be an essential function of ADSCs, and diverse regenerative effects of ADSCs in the skin have been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: Recent research developments concerning the wound-healing and antioxidant effects of ADSCs are briefly described. METHODS: Various experimental results regarding the wound-healing and antioxidant effect of ADSCs are introduced, and the mechanisms and identification of active proteins involved in these function are further discussed. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Evidence of ADSC differentiation of skin has not been reported in vivo, but ADSCs accelerate wound-healing and exhibit antioxidant effects under various conditions. The wound-healing and antioxidant effects of ADSCs are mainly mediated by the activation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes via the paracrine mechanism. Since ADSCs are easily obtained in large quantities and have an advantage over other stem cell sources, ADSCs and their secretory factors show promise for use in skin repair and regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and their secretory factors can stimulate collagen synthesis and migration of fibroblasts during the wound healing process. Conventional treatments for skin aging, such as lasers and topical regimens, induce new collagen synthesis via activation of dermal fibroblasts or growth factors. Considering the results of our previous study, ADSCs can also be used for the treatment of skin aging. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to verify the effectiveness of ADSCs for the treatment of skin aging. METHODS: We analyzed secretory factors of ADSCs and intradermally injected ADSCs (1 x 10(6) cells in 1 mL of Hanks' buffered salt solution) and conditioned media of ADSCs on the back of a micropig. In addition, as a pilot study, intradermal injections of purified autologous processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells were tried with the photoaged skin of one patient. RESULTS: We demonstrated that ADSCs produce many useful growth factors, increase collagen production in animal study, and reverse skin aging in human trial. CONCLUSION: ADSCs and their secretory factors show promise for application in cosmetic dermatology, especially in the treatment of skin aging.