Ziang Zhang
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Ziang Zhang has a total of 21 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Jie Long
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
3 shared publications Zijin Qin
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
3 shared publications- Baoqiang Song
Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
2 shared publications Guo Chen
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
2 shared publicationsJie Long
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
2 shared publicationsXuhua Zhou
Department of Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
2 shared publications
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 25 February 2025
- Published by Springer Nature in Stem Cell Research & Therapy
- Vol. 16 (1) , 1-21
Fascia-derived stem cells enhance fat graft retention by promoting vascularization through the HMOX1-HIF-1α pathway
Adipose tissue is a widely used autologous soft tissue filler in plastic surgery, particularly for volumetric restoration in cases of soft tissue deficiency. However, effectively controlling the retention rate of transplanted fat remains a major challenge. Therefore, this study aims to explore strategies to enhance fat graft retention. We isolated fascia-derived stem cells (FDSCs) from human superficial fascia and compared their gene expression profiles with those of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Through bioinformatics analysis and functional experiments, we identified significant differences in the angiogenic potential of the two cell types. Based on sequencing results, we further investigated the roles of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1). This study highlights the critical potential of FDSCs in improving fat graft retention and promoting angiogenesis, offering new strategies for enhancing graft survival and optimizing tissue regeneration therapies. We isolated fascia-derived stem cells (FDSCs) from human superficial fascia and compared them with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). RNA sequencing was performed to analyze gene expression profiles, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify differences in angiogenic potential. Functional experiments were conducted to investigate the roles of HIF-1α and HMOX1 in angiogenesis. RNA sequencing revealed significant gene expression differences related to angiogenesis in FDSCs. The expression levels of HMOX1, HIF-1α, and VEGFa were significantly higher in FDSCs than in ADSCs, and HMOX1 positively regulated the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFa. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FDSCs promoted angiogenesis more effectively than ADSCs. In vivo co-transplantation experiments further confirmed that FDSCs improved fat graft retention and vascularization. We demonstrated that FDSCs can more effectively promote vascularization both in vitro and in vivo, and significantly improve graft retention, indicating their broad potential for future applications in tissue repair and regeneration.
- 25 February 2025
- Published by Springer Nature in Stem Cell Research & Therapy
- Vol. 16 (1) , 1-21
Open AccessFascia-derived stem cells enhance fat graft retention by promoting vascularization through the HMOX1-HIF-1α pathway
Adipose tissue is a widely used autologous soft tissue filler in plastic surgery, particularly for volumetric restoration in cases of soft tissue deficiency. However, effectively controlling the retention rate of transplanted fat remains a major challenge. Therefore, this study aims to explore strategies to enhance fat graft retention. We isolated fascia-derived stem cells (FDSCs) from human superficial fascia and compared their gene expression profiles with those of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Through bioinformatics analysis and functional experiments, we identified significant differences in the angiogenic potential of the two cell types. Based on sequencing results, we further investigated the roles of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1). This study highlights the critical potential of FDSCs in improving fat graft retention and promoting angiogenesis, offering new strategies for enhancing graft survival and optimizing tissue regeneration therapies. We isolated fascia-derived stem cells (FDSCs) from human superficial fascia and compared them with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). RNA sequencing was performed to analyze gene expression profiles, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify differences in angiogenic potential. Functional experiments were conducted to investigate the roles of HIF-1α and HMOX1 in angiogenesis. RNA sequencing revealed significant gene expression differences related to angiogenesis in FDSCs. The expression levels of HMOX1, HIF-1α, and VEGFa were significantly higher in FDSCs than in ADSCs, and HMOX1 positively regulated the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFa. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FDSCs promoted angiogenesis more effectively than ADSCs. In vivo co-transplantation experiments further confirmed that FDSCs improved fat graft retention and vascularization. We demonstrated that FDSCs can more effectively promote vascularization both in vitro and in vivo, and significantly improve graft retention, indicating their broad potential for future applications in tissue repair and regeneration.
- 13 January 2025
- Published by Springer Nature in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Vol. 49 (12) , 3494-3503
Constructing the Well Regenerated Decellularized Adipose Tissue Using External Volume Expansion Device
Background External volume expansion (EVE) devices has been demonstrated to enhance the survival of fat grafts. Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) serves as a promising scaffold for adipose regeneration; however, the effectiveness of adipose regeneration in DAT remains limited, and the underlying mechanisms of its regeneration require further investigation. Objective This study explores the potential of EVE technology to enhance DAT-mediated adipogenesis by facilitating cellular recruitment and establishing a microenvironment conducive to adipose tissue regeneration. Methods DAT was injected into the dorsal area of rats, followed by daily treatment with an EVE suction device for 10 hours per day over 14 days. Control groups underwent transplantation without suction. After the treatment period, tissue samples were collected and analyzed. This included volume measurement, H&E staining, immunofluorescence staining for CD34, CD90, CD68, CD31, and perilipin, electron microscopy for microscopic analysis, and ELISA analysis for IL1, TNFα, CCL2, and CXCL12. Results Fourteen days post-transplantation, the volume of DAT significantly increased in the EVE group compared to the control group. Histological H&E staining revealed a higher peripheral region in the EVE group. Electron microscopy examination showed that EVE suction led to increased porosity in the DAT material, with a greater number of cells adhering to the material. Immunofluorescence staining for CD34/CD90 adipose-derived stem cells also showed a significant increase in the EVE group. The presence of CD68-positive macrophages increased after EVE suction. Evaluation of vascularization using CD31 staining showed a higher level of vascularization in the EVE group compared to the control group. ELISA analysis of IL-1, TNF-α, CCL2, and CXCL12 levels demonstrated that the EVE group effectively increased the levels of adipogenic factors within the DAT. Conclusion EVE enhances DAT-mediated adipogenesis by promoting stem cell recruitment, macrophage activation, and adipogenesis-related cytokine expression, ultimately improving the regeneration of functional adipose tissue. Level of Evidence I This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
- 13 January 2025
- Published by Springer Nature in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Vol. 49 (12) , 3494-3503
Constructing the Well Regenerated Decellularized Adipose Tissue Using External Volume Expansion Device
Background External volume expansion (EVE) devices has been demonstrated to enhance the survival of fat grafts. Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) serves as a promising scaffold for adipose regeneration; however, the effectiveness of adipose regeneration in DAT remains limited, and the underlying mechanisms of its regeneration require further investigation. Objective This study explores the potential of EVE technology to enhance DAT-mediated adipogenesis by facilitating cellular recruitment and establishing a microenvironment conducive to adipose tissue regeneration. Methods DAT was injected into the dorsal area of rats, followed by daily treatment with an EVE suction device for 10 hours per day over 14 days. Control groups underwent transplantation without suction. After the treatment period, tissue samples were collected and analyzed. This included volume measurement, H&E staining, immunofluorescence staining for CD34, CD90, CD68, CD31, and perilipin, electron microscopy for microscopic analysis, and ELISA analysis for IL1, TNFα, CCL2, and CXCL12. Results Fourteen days post-transplantation, the volume of DAT significantly increased in the EVE group compared to the control group. Histological H&E staining revealed a higher peripheral region in the EVE group. Electron microscopy examination showed that EVE suction led to increased porosity in the DAT material, with a greater number of cells adhering to the material. Immunofluorescence staining for CD34/CD90 adipose-derived stem cells also showed a significant increase in the EVE group. The presence of CD68-positive macrophages increased after EVE suction. Evaluation of vascularization using CD31 staining showed a higher level of vascularization in the EVE group compared to the control group. ELISA analysis of IL-1, TNF-α, CCL2, and CXCL12 levels demonstrated that the EVE group effectively increased the levels of adipogenic factors within the DAT. Conclusion EVE enhances DAT-mediated adipogenesis by promoting stem cell recruitment, macrophage activation, and adipogenesis-related cytokine expression, ultimately improving the regeneration of functional adipose tissue. Level of Evidence I This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
- Open Access
- 23 February 2024
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Physiology
- Vol. 15, 1346612
Insights into the unique roles of dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) in wound healing
Dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) is a newly recognized layer of adipocytes within the reticular dermis of the skin. In many mammals, this layer is clearly separated by panniculus carnosus from subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT). While, they concentrated around the hair shaft and follicle, sebaceous gland, and arrector pili muscle, and forms a very specific cone geometry in human. Both the anatomy and the histology indicate that dWAT has distinct development and functions. Different from sWAT, the developmental origin of dWAT shares a common precursor with dermal fibroblasts during embryogenesis. Therefore, when skin injury happens and mature adipocytes in dWAT are exposed, they may undergo lipolysis and dedifferentiate into fibroblasts to participate in wound healing as embryogenetic stage. Studies using genetic strategies to selectively ablate dermal adipocytes observed delayed revascularization and re-epithelialization in wound healing. This review specifically summarizes the hypotheses of the functions of dWAT in wound healing. First, lipolysis of dermal adipocytes could contribute to wound healing by regulating inflammatory macrophage infiltration. Second, loss of dermal adipocytes occurs at the wound edge, and adipocyte-derived cells then become ECM-producing wound bed myofibroblasts during the proliferative phase of repair. Third, mature dermal adipocytes are rich resources for adipokines and cytokines and could release them in response to injury. In addition, the dedifferentiated dermal adipocytes are more sensitive to redifferentiation protocol and could undergo expansion in infected wound. We then briefly introduce the roles of dWAT in protecting the skin from environmental challenges: production of an antimicrobial peptide against infection. In the future, we believe there may be great potential for research in these areas: (1) taking advantage of the plasticity of dermal adipocytes and manipulating them in wound healing; (2) investigating the precise mechanism of dWAT expansion in infected wound healing.
- 23 February 2024
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Physiology
- Vol. 15, 1346612
Open AccessInsights into the unique roles of dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) in wound healing
Dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) is a newly recognized layer of adipocytes within the reticular dermis of the skin. In many mammals, this layer is clearly separated by panniculus carnosus from subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT). While, they concentrated around the hair shaft and follicle, sebaceous gland, and arrector pili muscle, and forms a very specific cone geometry in human. Both the anatomy and the histology indicate that dWAT has distinct development and functions. Different from sWAT, the developmental origin of dWAT shares a common precursor with dermal fibroblasts during embryogenesis. Therefore, when skin injury happens and mature adipocytes in dWAT are exposed, they may undergo lipolysis and dedifferentiate into fibroblasts to participate in wound healing as embryogenetic stage. Studies using genetic strategies to selectively ablate dermal adipocytes observed delayed revascularization and re-epithelialization in wound healing. This review specifically summarizes the hypotheses of the functions of dWAT in wound healing. First, lipolysis of dermal adipocytes could contribute to wound healing by regulating inflammatory macrophage infiltration. Second, loss of dermal adipocytes occurs at the wound edge, and adipocyte-derived cells then become ECM-producing wound bed myofibroblasts during the proliferative phase of repair. Third, mature dermal adipocytes are rich resources for adipokines and cytokines and could release them in response to injury. In addition, the dedifferentiated dermal adipocytes are more sensitive to redifferentiation protocol and could undergo expansion in infected wound. We then briefly introduce the roles of dWAT in protecting the skin from environmental challenges: production of an antimicrobial peptide against infection. In the future, we believe there may be great potential for research in these areas: (1) taking advantage of the plasticity of dermal adipocytes and manipulating them in wound healing; (2) investigating the precise mechanism of dWAT expansion in infected wound healing.
- 10 March 2023
- Published by Springer Nature in Cell and Tissue Banking
- Vol. 24 (4) , 705-710
Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma for long-term glucocorticoids caused chronic wound: a case report
The repair of bone explore wounds is one of the difficult problems in plastic and reconstruction surgery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and efficient therapeutic option for various trauma, including Osteoarticular, musculoskeletal, and Wound injuries. However, the preparation and storage of PRP becomes challenging for patients with poor systemic status and requiring multi-use of PRP. The availability of safe, reliable tissue bank makes it possible. We report a case of a 42-year-old woman patient with a chronic hip wound combined with ischium bone exploration. And the patient who was treated with long-term glucocorticoids for rheumatoid arthritis has been through the experience of extensive conservative management. Thereafter necrosectomy and Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) surgical procedure failed, and a PRP daily injection was performed at the ischial muscle and soft tissue. Neo-muscle appeared around the explored ischium bone after 8 weeks of injection and Complete wound healing was obtained in 3 months.
- 10 March 2023
- Published by Springer Nature in Cell and Tissue Banking
- Vol. 24 (4) , 705-710
Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma for long-term glucocorticoids caused chronic wound: a case report
The repair of bone explore wounds is one of the difficult problems in plastic and reconstruction surgery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and efficient therapeutic option for various trauma, including Osteoarticular, musculoskeletal, and Wound injuries. However, the preparation and storage of PRP becomes challenging for patients with poor systemic status and requiring multi-use of PRP. The availability of safe, reliable tissue bank makes it possible. We report a case of a 42-year-old woman patient with a chronic hip wound combined with ischium bone exploration. And the patient who was treated with long-term glucocorticoids for rheumatoid arthritis has been through the experience of extensive conservative management. Thereafter necrosectomy and Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) surgical procedure failed, and a PRP daily injection was performed at the ischial muscle and soft tissue. Neo-muscle appeared around the explored ischium bone after 8 weeks of injection and Complete wound healing was obtained in 3 months.
- 23 December 2022
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Biomaterials Science
- Vol. 11 (4) , 1215-1235
Decellularized extracellular matrix (d-ECM): the key role of the inflammatory process in pre-regeneration after implantation
After d-ECM transplantation, residues in the d-ECM have different effects on immunological responses, leading to degradability, inflammation, and functional tissue remodeling.
- 23 December 2022
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Biomaterials Science
- Vol. 11 (4) , 1215-1235
Decellularized extracellular matrix (d-ECM): the key role of the inflammatory process in pre-regeneration after implantation
After d-ECM transplantation, residues in the d-ECM have different effects on immunological responses, leading to degradability, inflammation, and functional tissue remodeling.