Adipose-derived stem cell transplantation for therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in a mouse secondary lymphedema model

Aim: Secondary lymphedema is observed in common after postmalignancy treatment of the breast and the gynecologic organs but effective therapies are not established. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which are pluripotent, regenerative in local injection, are tested for murine hindlimb secondary lymphedema by regenerative method. Methods & results: Mice were divided into four groups: no ADSCs, 1 x 10(6) ADSCs, 1 x 10(5) ADSCs and 1 x 10(4) ADSCs (each group, n = 20) in a stringent surgical resection and irradiation. Circumferential measurement, lymphatic flow assessment and quantification of lymphatic vessels were performed. Results: The numbers of lymphatic vessels by LYVE-1 immunohistochemistry, and VEGF-C- or VEGFR3-expressing cells were significantly increased in transplanted groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ADSCs can restore the lymphatic vascular network in secondary lymphedema with increased collecting vessels.