A Pilot Study on the Impact of Smoking on Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Function in Burn Patients

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have an important role in the modulation of burned tissue repair through the release of paracrine factors that stimulate the wound healing response. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that smoking status alters the profile of paracrine factors secreted from ADSCs isolated from damaged adipose tissue. Adipose tissue was collected from adult patients (N = 8) with severe burn injuries (>20% total body surface area) at the index operation. ADSCs were extracted and cultured in vitro. Supernatants were harvested 30 h after plating and used for cytokine determinations by Multiplex assay. Fluorescence-activated single-cell sorting (FACS) confirmed their phenotype with markers CD 90, CD 166, and CD 73. Univariate analyses were performed to compare the 2 cohorts (Smokers vs nonsmokers). Higher amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 (P = .03) and IL-10 (P = .04) and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha (P = .03), IL-8, and IFN-gamma (P = .03) were detected in burn patients who were current everyday smokers when compared to nonsmokers, or former smokers. No significant differences in supernatant concentrations of IL-17, IL-1 beta, TGF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-13 were observed (P > .05). Mortality was higher in the smoker group when compared to nonsmokers. The results from this study suggest that smoking status in patients with a major burn injury may alter the paracrine factors secreted from ADSCs, and ongoing studies will increase sample size and refine experimental approach. Furthermore, these results support the need for studies examining the systemic effects of smoking status of patients suffering burn injuries impacts the wound healing.