Generating and Characterizing Adipose Spheroids from Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells.

Advances in technology and automation over the past several decades have made it feasible to perform high-throughput compound screening with cell spheroids, a valuable approach for drug discovery. It is entirely feasible to generate multiple 384-well plates containing adipose spheroids from cryopreserved, single-donor, adipose stem cells, thus incorporating genetic diversity into the discovery stages of research. In this protocol, we describe our method for isolating primary human adipose stem cells and synthesizing cell spheroids comprised of mature adipocytes and stromal cells.

Biodegradable Nerve Guide with Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Improves Recovery After Facial Nerve Injury in Rats.

Bioengineered nerve guides with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) support recovery after facial nerve injury by acting as regenerative scaffolds. To compare functional, electrophysiological, and histological outcomes after repair of rat facial nerve transection in control, empty nerve guide, and nerve guide with GDNF conditions. Rats underwent transection and primary repair of the buccal branch of the facial nerve and were divided into (1) transection and repair only, (2) transection and repair augmented with empty guide, (3) transection and repair augmented with GDNF-guide groups.

Intramuscular Nanofat Injection Promotes Inflammation-Induced Gastrocnemius Regeneration in a Syngeneic Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Model.

Background: Mechanical emulsification of adipose tissue to concentrate protein and stromal cell components (ie, nanofat) has gained considerable interest in clinical practice. Although the regenerative potential of nanofat has largely been used in aesthetic applications, these effects have considerable potential in reconstruction as well. Here, the authors investigated the therapeutic properties of nanofat injected directly into the denervated gastrocnemius after a sciatic nerve injury in Lewis rats.

Comparison of Soluble and Liposome Encapsulated, Sustained Release Latanoprost for Focal Adipose Reduction.

To address the lack of non-cytotoxic, non-surgical options to treat undesirable focal adiposity of the face, we propose use of the anti-glaucoma medication and prostaglandin F2α analogue latanoprost, which has a well-described side effect of periorbital adipose shrinkage. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of soluble and liposomal latanoprost for focal fat reduction. To compare efficacy, single administrations of either the FDA-approved cytolytic drug deoxycholic acid (DOCA), latanoprost, or liposomal latanoprost were injected into ob/ob mouse inguinal fat pads.

Use of wound edge inversion (epibole) to generate recalcitrant and inflamed diabetic wounds.

Robust and predictive pre-clinical models of recalcitrant diabetic wounds are critical for advancing research efforts toward improving healing. Murine models have logistic and genetic benefits versus larger animals; however, native murine healing inadequately represents clinically recalcitrant wounds in humans. Furthermore, current humanization techniques employing devices, deleterious mutations or chemical agents each carry model-specific limitations.

Metformin Improves Stemness of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Downmodulation of Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling.

Adipose tissue plays an important role in regulating metabolic homeostasis by storing excess fat and protecting other organs from lipotoxicity. Aging is associated with central fat redistribution, culminating in a decrease in insulin-sensitive subcutaneous and an increase in insulin-resistant visceral adipose depots. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) play an important role in the regeneration of adipose tissue.

Facial Nerve Repair: Bioengineering Approaches in Preclinical Models.

Injury to the facial nerve can occur after different etiologies and range from simple transection of the branches to varying degrees of segmental loss. Management depends on the extent of injury and options include primary repair for simple transections and using autografts, allografts, or conduits for larger gaps. Tissue engineering plays an important role to create artificial materials that are able to mimic the nerve itself without extra morbidity in the patients.