Fibroblasts Derived From Human Adipose Stem Cells Produce More Effective Extracellular Matrix and Migrate Faster Compared to Primary Dermal Fibroblasts

Abstract

Abstract Background The efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to improve wound healing has been extensively investigated. Unfortunately, no consistent reports have described significant improvements in healing time or outcomes in large-scale clinical trials utilizing human ASCs. Primarily, these studies examined undifferentiated ASCs as opposed to specific cells differentiated from ASCs. Objectives The authors sought to examine the properties of fibroblasts differentiated from human ASCs (dFib cells) compared with those of primary dermal fibroblasts. Methods ASCs were isolated from healthy female patients, differentiated into dFib cells, and compared with intra-patient primary dermal fibroblasts for morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) marker expression, and cell migration employing qPCR, western blot, and scratch test assays. Results De novo differentiated fibroblasts produce higher levels of the healthy ECM markers Elastin, Fibronectin, and Collagen 1 compared with primary fibroblasts. In contrast, dFib cells have reduced expression of the scar tissue markers αSMA, Collagen 3, and MMP-1. Further, dFib cells close scratch defects more quickly than primary dermal fibroblasts (32 ± 12.85 hours vs 64 ± 13.85 hours, P < 0.01) in a scratch test assay. Conclusions These data suggest that fibroblasts newly differentiated from human ASCs migrate well and produce a robust ECM, the combination of which may contribute to improved wound healing, and thus should be further investigated.