Immunophenotypic Characterization of Nanofat

• Grant number: 24/16382-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: José da Conceição Carvalho Júnior
• Grantee: Vinicius Rodrigues Camilo da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Regenerative medicine has advanced considerably in recent decades, seeking to repair or replace tissues and organs damaged by traumatic, genetic or degenerative causes. One of the most promising fields is the use of adipose tissue, which is valued for its diverse cellular composition and its endocrine, immunomodulatory and regenerative functions. Among the cells present in this tissue, mesenchymal stem cells stand out for their therapeutic potential, due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types, such as bone, cartilage, muscle and adipose tissue. The realization that adipose tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells has considerably expanded their use in regenerative therapies.Among the techniques for using fat in plastic surgery for regenerative purposes, the mechanical emulsification of fat to obtain Nanofat, developed by Patrick Tonnard and Verpaele, has become particularly relevant. This method processes the liposuctioned fat into a fluid emulsion, rich in stromal vascular fraction and mesenchymal stem cells, but without the presence of viable adipocytes, and is widely used in both aesthetic procedures and regenerative treatments, such as the management of wrinkles and scars.Considering the growing use of Nanofat in plastic surgery and the lack of studies characterizing in detail the cell subpopulations present in liposuctioned fat subjected to this technique, this project aims to fill this gap. The aim is to immunophenotypically characterize the cellular subpopulations present in the Nanofat obtained using the updated Tonnard protocol, using flow cytometry to investigate cellular composition and viability. Cells from the immune system and stem cells derived from adipose tissue will be examined, with an emphasis on cell viability and functionality, in order to expand knowledge about the regenerative potential and mechanisms of action of Nanofat. This study is essential for improving the clinical applications of the technique and exploring new therapeutic possibilities in regenerative medicine.