Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Their Secretory Factors as a Promising Therapy for Skin Aging

BACKGROUND Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and their secretory factors can stimulate collagen synthesis and migration of fibroblasts during the wound healing process. Conventional treatments for skin aging, such as lasers and topical regimens, induce new collagen synthesis via activation of dermal fibroblasts or growth factors. Considering the results of our previous study, ADSCs can also be used for the treatment of skin aging. OBJECTIVE The aim was to verify the effectiveness of ADSCs for the treatment of skin aging. METHODS We analyzed secretory factors of ADSCs and intradermally injected ADSCs (1 x 10(6) cells in 1 mL of Hanks' buffered salt solution) and conditioned media of ADSCs on the back of a micropig. In addition, as a pilot study, intradermal injections of purified autologous processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells were tried with the photoaged skin of one patient. RESULTS We demonstrated that ADSCs produce many useful growth factors, increase collagen production in animal study, and reverse skin aging in human trial. CONCLUSION ADSCs and their secretory factors show promise for application in cosmetic dermatology, especially in the treatment of skin aging.