Adipose stem cells exhibit mechanical memory and reduce fibrotic contracture in a rat elbow injury model.

ABSTRACT: Fibrosis is driven by a misdirected cell response causing the overproduction of extracellular matrix and tissue dysfunction. Numerous pharmacological strategies have attempted to prevent fibrosis but have attained limited efficacy with some detrimental side effects. While stem cell treatments have provided more encouraging results, they have exhibited high variability and have not always improved tissue function. To enhance stem cell efficacy, we evaluated whether mechanical memory could direct cell response. We hypothesized that mechanically pre-conditioning on a soft matrix (soft priming) will delay adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) transition to a pro-fibrotic phenotype, expanding their regenerative potential, and improving healing in a complex tissue environment. Primary ASCs isolated fr

SUBMITTER: Dunham C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8745456 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature