Engineering of volume-stable adipose tissues

Autologous adipose tissues have been clinically used for augmentation of soft tissues lost due to mastectomy or lumpectomy in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, this therapy has problems of absorption and subsequent volume loss of the implanted adipose tissues. In this study, volume-stable adipose tissues were engineered in vivo using mechanical support structures fabricated from biodegradable synthetic polymers. Dome-shaped mechanical support structures were fabricated by reinforcing poly(glycolic acid) fiber-based matrices with poly(L-lactic acid). The support structures were placed into subcutaneous pockets of athymic mice, and human preadipocytes suspended in fibrin matrix were injected into the space under the support structures (group I). Injection of either fibrin matrix without preadipocytes under the support structures (group II) or fibrin matrix containing preadipocytes into subcutaneous spaces with no support structures (group III) served as controls. Six weeks after implantation, the original implant volume was maintained approximately in groups I and II, whereas, group III showed significant implant shrinkage. The compressive modulus of the mechanical support structures did not change significantly over 6-week incubation in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C. Histological analyses of the implants showed regeneration of adipose tissues in group I. In contrast, groups II and III did not show extensive adipose tissue formation. This study demonstrates that volume-stable adipose tissues can be engineered in vivo using mechanical support structures. This technique offers the potential for augmentation of adipose tissues with volume conservation.