Filling effects, persistence, and safety of dermal fillers formulated with stem cells in an animal model

Maciej Nowacki; Katarzyna Pietkun; Marta Pokrywczyńska; Marta Rasmus; Karolina Warda; Tomasz Kloskowski; Arkadiusz Jundziłł; Maciej Gagat; Alina Grzanka; Magdalena Bodnar; Andrzej Marszałek; Tomasz Drewa; Rafał Czajkowski

doi:10.1177/1090820X14548212

Filling effects, persistence, and safety of dermal fillers formulated with stem cells in an animal model

Aesthet Surg J. 2014 Nov;34(8):1261-9. doi: 10.1177/1090820X14548212. Epub 2014 Aug 28.

Affiliations

¹ Mr Nowacki is an MD and PhD student, Dr Jundziłł is a volunteer, Dr Pokrywczyńska and Dr Kloskowski are research fellows, and Ms Rasmus and Ms Warda are MSc students in the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, PolandMr Gagat is a research fellow and Dr Grzanka is Professor and Head of the Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Bodnar is a research fellow in the Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Dr Marszałek is Professor and head of the Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Oncologic Pathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences and Greater Poland Oncology Center, Poznan, PolandMs Pietkun is an MD and PhD student in the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering and Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immunodermatology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Czajkowski is a Professor and Head of the Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immunodermatology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Drewa is Professor and Head of the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Head of the Urology and Oncological Urology Department, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital, Toruń, Poland.
² Mr Nowacki is an MD and PhD student, Dr Jundziłł is a volunteer, Dr Pokrywczyńska and Dr Kloskowski are research fellows, and Ms Rasmus and Ms Warda are MSc students in the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, PolandMr Gagat is a research fellow and Dr Grzanka is Professor and Head of the Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Bodnar is a research fellow in the Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Dr Marszałek is Professor and head of the Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Oncologic Pathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences and Greater Poland Oncology Center, Poznan, PolandMs Pietkun is an MD and PhD student in the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering and Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immunodermatology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Czajkowski is a Professor and Head of the Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immunodermatology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, PolandDr Drewa is Professor and Head of the Chair of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Tissue Engineering, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Head of the Urology and Oncological Urology Department, Nicolaus Copernicus Hospital, Toruń, Poland tomaszkloskowski@op.pl.

PMID: 25168156
DOI: 10.1177/1090820X14548212

Abstract

Background: Research is scarce regarding the effectiveness of dermal fillers containing autologous stem cells.

Objectives: The authors sought to determine the local and systemic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a component of dermal fillers in an animal model.

Methods: Wistar rats were injected with 1 of the following dermal fillers: ADSCs combined with hyaluronic acid (ADSC-HA), ADSCs combined with fish collagen (ADSC-COL), HA alone (CONTROL-HA), or COL alone (CONTROL-COL). Fillers were injected into the glabella, dorsum, and chest of each animal. The ADSCs were labeled with PKH26 to assess cell migration. Filling effects (FEs) were measured immediately after injection and at 1.5 months and 3 months after injection. Skin specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess localization and persistence of ADSCs.

Results: Mean FEs in animals implanted with ADSCs were greater and persisted longer than those of controls. No inflammatory responses were observed in any group. Three months after injection, PKH26-positive cells comprised nearly 70% of cells at the injection site in animals treated with ADSC-HA. PKH26 fluorescence also was detected in the spleen but not in the brain, kidney, or lung.

Conclusions: Stem cells have the potential to improve the aesthetic effects and longevity of dermal fillers.

Keywords: animal model; dermal fillers; hyaluronic acid; soft-tissue augmentation; stem cells.

MeSH terms

Animals
Autografts
Biocompatible Materials*
Collagen / administration & dosage*
Collagen / pharmacokinetics
Cosmetic Techniques*
Fishes
Flow Cytometry / methods
Fluorescent Dyes / administration & dosage
Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage*
Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacokinetics
Injections
Models, Animal
Organic Chemicals / administration & dosage
Prostheses and Implants*
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*

Substances

Biocompatible Materials
Fluorescent Dyes
Organic Chemicals
PKH 26
Hyaluronic Acid
Collagen