Tracing the Change and Contribution of Subcutaneous Adipose to Skin Expansion Using a Luciferase-Transgenic Fat Transplantation Model

The study investigates the role of subcutaneous adipose tissue in skin expansion using a luciferase-transgenic fat transplantation model in rats. The research found that adipose tissue contributes significantly to skin expansion by promoting vascularization and cell proliferation. In vivo imaging showed that adipose tissue cells remained alive during expansion, and the presence of adipose tissue resulted in thicker skin with more blood vessels and cell proliferation compared to skin expanded without adipose tissue. The expression of growth factors was higher in adipose tissue, indicating its paracrine support. The findings suggest that preserving adipose tissue during skin expansion and considering fat grafting for thinning skin could enhance clinical outcomes.