3D Tissue Formation of Unilocular Adipocytes in Hydrogel Microfibers. Issue 5 (17th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hsiao, Amy Y.; Okitsu, Teru; Teramae, Hiroki; Takeuchi, Shoji
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 5:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 548
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2015-12-17
• Subjects: 3D cell cultures -- adipocytes -- adipogenesis -- adipose derived stem cells -- cell fibers; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201500673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Adipose tissue, an active metabolic and endocrine organ mainly composed of unilocular adipocytes, is implicated in various obesity related diseases. Developing morphologically and functionally accurate in vitro models of the adipose tissue is therefore critically important for basic biological studies, drug screening/testing, and clinical implants to advance the understanding and treatment of these diseases. However, current adipose tissue engineering technologies either cannot replicate the unilocular morphologies of mature adipocytes, or lack the ease of monitoring, handling, and scaling up required in the above mentioned applications. This paper presents the differentiation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) to mature adipocytes in highly observable and highly handleable 3D fiber shaped constructs exhibiting morphologies and functions of native adipose tissues. Using the cell fiber technology, ADSCs were encapsulated in hydrogel microfibers, allowed to form into fiber shaped constructs, and differentiated to mature unilocular adipocytes. These adipocyte fibers are observed and maintained for up to 91 d, and secretion of adipose tissue‐specific factor, adiponectin, is further confirmed. The handleability of the adipocyte fibers is demonstrated by assembling the adipocyte fibers into doll shaped constructs. Such highly observable, highly handleable, and scalable characteristics of the adipocyte fibers make them suitable for biological studies, high‐throughput drug screening/testing, and clinical applications. Abstract : Adipocytes differentiated from adipose derived stem cells in hydrogel microfibers aggregate densely, form into fiber‐shaped constructs, are metabolically active, and exhibit intrinsic unilocular morphologies of adipose tissues. The adipocyte fibers are highly observable, highly handleable, and can be mass produced for various biological studies, high‐throughput drug screening and testing, and clinical applications.