Subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived stem cells facilitate colonic mucosal recovery from 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats

Background: Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be easily obtained from subcutaneous adipose tissue, and ADSCs can be demonstrated to display multilineage developmental plasticity. In this study, using TNBS-induced colitis rats, we show the feasibility of repairing injured intestinal mucosa with adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Methods: The subcutaneous adipose tissue of F344 rats was obtained and digested by collagenase. The digested tissue was cultured in DMEM containing 10% FBS for 1 month. ADSCs were confirmed to differentiate under appropriate conditions into various lineages of cells, including bone, neural cells, adipocytes, and epithelial cells. HGF, VEGF, TGF-beta, and adiponectin in the culture supernatants of ADSCs were determined by ELISA. ADSCs (107 cells) were injected into the submucosa of the colon to examine their capacity to repair intestinal mucosa injured by TNBS. Results: In the experimental colitis model, the injection of ADSCs facilitated colonic mucosal repair and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. High levels of HGF, VEGF, and adiponectin were detected in the culture supernatants of ADSCs. Moreover, injected ADSCs distributed to several layers of the colon, and some of them differentiated into mesodermal linea-e cells. Conclusions: ADSCs can accelerate the regeneration of injured regions in experimental colitis. HGF, VEGF, and adiponectin might be responsible for the regeneration of injured regions in the colon.