Fig. 7

ADSC-NVs improved fat graft survival. A Schematic design of the animal study. Briefly, four groups of BALB/c nude mice were administered injection of a mixture of fat granules and different dose of ADSC-NVs (0, 5, 20 and 80 μg/mL). The grafts were harvested at 12 weeks post-transplantation for further analysis. B Macroscopic images of the fat grafts. Scale bar: 1 cm. Quantitative analysis of grafts shows higher volume (C) and weight (D) in the 20 μg/mL and 80 μg/mL groups (n = 5 per group). E The overall view of H&E staining. Black arrowheads, fibrosis; blue arrowheads, adipose. Scale bar: 100 μm. Quantitative analysis of H&E stained images shows that the adipose tissue area (F) of the 80 μg/mL group was the highest, followed by the 20 μg/mL group, control group, and finally the 5 μg/mL group (n = 5 per group). The proportion of fibrotic tissue area (G) showed contrasting results (n = 4 per group). (H) Immunofluorescent staining for perilipin of harvested grafts to determine survival of adipocytes. Scale bar: 100 μm. I The number of perilipin (+) adipocytes were higher in high-dose ADSC-NVs treatment groups (80 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL) than in control and 5 μg/mL groups (n = 5 per group). J Analysis of cell size and distribution confirms adipocyte size and amount in four groups increased in order from 5 μg/mL group and control group to 20 μg/mL and 80 μg/mL groups. ns: no significant difference, *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001