The University of Osaka · Medicine
Professor Fiona Louis's research lab specializes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a focus on developing advanced in vitro models for adipose and muscle tissue regeneration. The lab investigates the role of the extracellular matrix, biomechanical cues, and cellular mechanotransduction—particularly through RhoGTPase signaling—under both physiological and microgravity conditions. A key direction involves engineering prevascularized, biofunctionalized hydrogels and bioprinted constructs to enhance tissue maturation, vascular integration, and long-term graft survival, with applications in soft tissue reconstruction and cultured meat production.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Since the current process of livestock meat production has considerable effects on the global environment, leading to high emissions of greenhouse gases, cultured meat has recently attracted attention as a suitable alternative way to acquire animal proteins. However, while most published studies on cell-cultured meat have focused on muscle tissue culture, fat production which is an important component of the process has often been neglected from this technology, even though it can enhance the me
The development of soft tissue regeneration has recently gained importance due to safety concerns about artificial breast implants. Current autologous fat graft implantations can result in up to 90% of volume loss in long-term outcomes due to their limited revascularization. Adipose tissue has a highly vascularized structure which enables its proper homeostasis as well as its endocrine function. Mature adipocytes surrounded by a dense vascular network are the specific features required for effic
A growing number of studies are revealing that cells reorganize their cytoskeleton when exposed to conditions of microgravity. Most, if not all, of the structural changes observed on flown cells can be explained by modulation of RhoGTPases, which are mechanosensitive switches responsible for cytoskeletal dynamics control. This review identifies general principles defining cell sensitivity to gravitational stresses. We discuss what is known about changes in cell shape, nucleus, and focal adhesion
The lack of relevant in vitro models for adipose tissue makes necessary the development of a more physiological environment providing spatial and chemical cues for the effective maturation of adipocytes. We developed a biofunctionalized hydrogel with components of adipose extracellular matrix: collagen I, collagen VI, and the cell binding domain of fibronectin and we compared it to usual 2D cultures on plastic plates. This scaffold allowed 3D culture of mature adipocytes from the preadipocytes c
Soft tissue regeneration remains a challenge in reconstructive surgery. So far, both autologous fat implantations and artificial implants methods used in clinical applications lead to various disadvantages and limited lifespan. To overcome these limitations and improve the graft volume maintenance, reproducing a mature adipose tissue already including vasculature structure before implantation can be the solution. Therefore, injectable prevascularized adipose tissues (iPAT) are made from physiolo
Microgravity-related cytoskeletal disorganization is associated with an altered balance between osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis of multipotent cells. Strontium chloride is known to increase osteoblastogenesis and repress adipogenesis, but its effects in microgravity-related conditions have not been established. Our goal was to investigate early events in this process, focusing on RhoGTPases as controllers of cytoskeletal organization leading to stem cell commitment. We cultivated C3H10T1/2 o
Obesity is a complex and incompletely understood disease, but current drug screening strategies mostly rely on immature <i>in vitro</i> adipose models which cannot recapitulate it properly. To address this issue, we developed a statistically validated high-throughput screening model by seeding human mature adipocytes from patients, encapsulated in physiological collagen microfibers. These drop tissues ensured the maintenance of adipocyte viability and functionality for controlling glucose and fa
Reprogramming of mature adipocytes is an attractive research area due to the plasticity of these cells. Mature adipocytes can be reprogrammed <i>in vitro</i>, transforming them into dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs), which are considered a new type of stem cell, and thereby have a high potential for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, there are still no reports or findings on <i>in vitro</i> controlling the dedifferentiation. Although ceiling culture performed in relat
Abstract Soft tissue regeneration remains a challenge in reconstructive surgery. Current autologous fat implantations lead to high fat absorption ratios, while artificial implants can be associated with lymphoma occurrence. To overcome these limitations, our aim was to reproduce adipose tissue vasculature structure before implantation. Here, we developed injectable prevascularized adipose tissues (iPAT), using physiological collagen microfibers (CMF) mixed with human mature adipocytes, adipose-d
Obesity and its related health issues significantly burden public health systems. Brown adipose tissue holds promise for addressing metabolic disorders and balancing the body's energy, making it a key research focus. Stimulating brown adipogenesis from stem cells could advance regenerative medicine and healthcare. In our previous research, we discovered that poly-l-lysine (PLL) significantly stimulates brown adipogenesis in three-dimensional differentiation of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs)
Obesity and its associated comorbidities place a substantial burden on public health. Given the considerable potential of brown adipose tissue in addressing metabolic disorders that contribute to dysregulation of the body's energy balance, this area is an intriguing avenue for research. This study aimed to assess the impact of various polymers, including collagen type I, fibronectin, laminin, gelatin, gellan gum, and poly-l-lysine (PLL), on the <i>in vitro</i> brown adipogenic differentiation of
ABSTRACT Cultivated meat holds promise as a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat, but reproducing the rich flavor, texture, and lipid composition of premium beef, such as Wagyu, remains a major hurdle. In this study, we redefine bovine adipogenesis by systematically optimizing edible biomaterials, fatty acid delivery systems, and culture conditions to engineer high-fat cultivated tissues with authentic sensory properties. Among various candidates, 1% alginate emerged as the o
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