Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell on Collagen Deposition in Nude Mouse Model of Scleroderma

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease featured by uncontrolled fibrosis and collagen deposition. This study aimed to investigate the impact of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation on collagen in scleroderma. After establishment of scleroderma model using Bleomycin, the animals received subcutaneous injection of 0.3 ml fat (group B) or 0.3 ml fat+1×106 ADSCs (group C), or 1×106 ADSCs alone (group D). Mice treated with PBS were taken as control group (group A). One month after operation, the skin tissue at injection site was collected for H&E staining, and immunohistochemistry to determine the content of TGF-β1 and type III collagen. Compared to control group, group B, C, and D exhibited improvement in collagen deposition and reduction in TGF-β1 content and type III collagen. Combined graft of fat and ADSCs exerted more significant effect compared to single ADSCs treatment. In conclusion, fat and ADSCs transplantation improves collagen deposition in nude mice with scleroderma and the combined treatment exerts a higher efficacy, suggesting that ADSCs need adipose carrier and microenvironment. These findings provide a novel insight into the treatment of scleroderma.