Highly Concentrated Stabilized Hybrid Complexes of Hyaluronic Acid: Rheological and Biological Assessment of Compatibility with Adipose Tissue and Derived Stromal Cells towards Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Cells and extracts derived from adipose tissue are gaining increasing attention not only in plastic surgery and for aesthetic purposes but also in regenerative medicine. The ability of hyaluronan (HA) to support human adipose stromal cell (hASC) viability and differentiation has been investigated. However, the compatibility of adipose tissue with HA-based formulation in terms of biophysical and rheological properties has not been fully addressed, although it is a key feature for tissue integration and in vivo performance. In this study, the biophysical and biochemical properties of highly concentrated (45 mg/mL) high/low-molecular-weight HA hybrid cooperative complex were assessed with a further focus on the potential application in adipose tissue augmentation/regeneration. Specifically, HA hybrid complex rheological behavior was observed in combination with different adipose tissue ratios, and hyaluronidase-catalyzed degradation was compared to that of a high-molecular-weight HA (HHA). Moreover, the HA hybrid complex’s ability to induce in vitro hASCs differentiation towards adipose phenotype was evaluated in comparison to HHA, performing Oil Red O staining and analyzing gene/protein expression of PPAR-γ, adiponectin, and leptin. Both treatments supported hASCs differentiation, with the HA hybrid complex showing better results. These outcomes may open new frontiers in regenerative medicine, supporting the injection of highly concentrated hybrid formulations in fat compartments, eventually enhancing residing staminal cell differentiation and improving cell/growth factor persistence towards tissue regeneration districts.