Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is an Optimal Approach for Plastic Surgery

¹ Salivery Gland Disease Center and the Molecular Laboratory for Gene therapy, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
³ Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, California

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: songtaos{at}usc.edu.

	Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into a variety of cell types, offering promising approaches for stem-cell-mediated tissue regeneration. Here we explored the potential of utilizing MSCs to reconstruct orofacial tissue, thereby, altering the orofacial appearance. We demonstrated that bone marrow MSCs were capable of generating bone structures and bone-associated marrow elements on the surfaces of the orofacial bone. This resulted in significant re-contouring of the facial appearance in mouse and swine. Notably, the newly formed bone/marrow tissues integrated with the surfaces of the recipient bones and re-established a functional bone marrow organ-like system. These data suggested that MSC-mediated tissue regeneration led to a body structure extension, with the re-establishment of all functional components necessary for maintaining the bone/marrow organ. In addition, we found that the subcutaneous transplantation of another population of MSCs, the human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) could form substantial amounts of collagen fibers and improve facial wrinkles in mouse. By contrast, bone marrow MSCs failed to survive at 8 weeks post-transplantation under the conditions used for the PDLSC transplantation. This study suggested that the mutual interactions between donor MSCs and recipient microenvironment determine long-term outcome of the functional tissue regeneration.

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