Modulation of Cellular Stemness for Enhanced Fat Grafting

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Apr 24;12(4):e5770. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005770. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Low volumetric retention limits the utility of fat grafting. Although inclusion of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma have been proposed to enhance graft retention, accumulating evidence has failed to show a clear benefit. Here, we propose a strategy to pharmacologically enhance stemness of stem and progenitor cell populations in fat grafts to promote increased volume retention and tissue health. We also propose how to integrate stemness-promoting and differentiation-promoting therapies such as platelet-rich plasma, and viability promoting therapies within the common fat grafting workflow to achieve optimal fat grafting results.