Improvement of Photoaged Skin Wrinkles with Cultured Human Fibroblasts and Adipose-derived Stem Cells: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the anti-wrinkle effects of cultured human fibroblasts and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and the mechanisms underlying the reduction of wrinkles in photoaged skin. Methods: The fibroblasts and ADSCs were isolated from human tissue and cultured. A total of 28 six-week-old female BALB/c-nude mice were classified into 4 groups, including the normal control group and 3 groups that were irradiated 6 times a week for 6 weeks using ultraviolet B radiation to induce photoaged wrinkles. ADSCs were injected into the wrinkles in the skin of the second group and fibroblasts were injected into the wrinkles in the skin of the third group. The fourth group was the irradiated negative control group (no therapy). After 4 weeks of injections, wrinkles were compared by replica analysis, biopsies were performed, and the dermal thickness and collagen densities were measured. We determined the amounts of type 1 collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 2, 3, 9, and 13 using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis and assessed tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 expression in the dermis by immunohistochemistry. Results: Replica analysis showed significant wrinkle reduction in the fibroblast group and the ADSC group. ADSCs stimulated collagen expression and decreased MMP expression. Although fibroblasts stimulated more collagen expression than ADSCs, they also increased MMP expression. Overall, the ADSC group showed higher collagen density and had better outcomes in the tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 assessments. Conclusions: Cultured fibroblasts and ADSCs could both play an important role in wrinkle reduction despite differences in their mechanisms of action.