Endogenous adipocyte precursor cells for regenerative soft-tissue engineering.

Subcutaneous injection of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) in combination with basic fibroblast growth factor induces de novo adipogenesis in which endogenous precursor cells invade the artificially formed Matrigel space, proliferate and differentiate to form adipose tissue. Since this adipogenesis offers us a novel approach for soft-tissue reconstruction without transplanting preadipocytes, the early process was examined by optical and electron microscopy. Formation of multiple layers of fibroblast-like cells at the surface of Matrigel implant was the first response of connective tissue.