Generation of an Immortalized Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Line Suitable for Wound Healing Therapy

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADSC) are a promising source for cellular therapy of chronic wounds. However, the limited life span during in vitro expansion impedes their extensive use in clinical applications and basic research. We hypothesize that by introduction of an ectopic expression of telomerase into ADSC, the cells’ lifespans could be significantly extended. To test this hypothesis, we aimed at engineering an immortalized human ADSC line using a lentiviral transduction with human telomerase (hTERT). ADSC were transduced with a third-generation lentiviral system and a hTERT codifying plasmid (pLV-hTERT-IRES-hygro). A population characterized by increased hTERT expression, extensive proliferative potential and remarkable (potent) multilineage differentiation capacity was selected. The properties for wound healing of this immortalized ADSC line were assessed after 17 passages. Their secretome induced the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells similarly to untransduced ADSC. Moreover, they sustained the complete re-epithelialization of a full thickness wound performed on a skin organotypic model. In summary, the engineered immortalized ADSC maintain the beneficial properties of parent cells and could represent a valuable and suitable tool for wound healing in particular, and for skin regenerative therapy in general.