Anti-intercellular adhesion molecule 1 monomaintenance therapy induced long-term liver allograft survival without chronic rejection.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are essential in liver transplantation (LT); however, their long-term use leads to various adverse effects. The anti-intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 monoclonal antibody MD3 is a potential alternative to CNI. Despite its promising results with short-term therapy, overcoming the challenge of chronic rejection remains important. Thus, we aimed to investigate the outcomes of long-term MD3 therapy with monthly MD3 monomaintenance in nonhuman primate LT models. Rhesus macaques underwent major histocompatibility complex-mismatched allogeneic LT. The conventional immunosuppression group (Con-IS, n = 4) received steroid, tacrolimus, and sirolimus by 4 months posttransplantation. The induction MD3 group (IN-MD3, n = 5) received short-term MD3 therapy for 3 months with Con-IS. The maintenance MD3 group (MA-MD3, n = 4) received MD3 for 3 months, monthly doses by 2 years, and then quarterly. The MA-MD3 group exhibited stable liver function without overt infection and had significantly better liver allograft survival than the IN-MD3 group. Development of donor-specific antibody and chronic rejection were suppressed in the MA-MD3 group but not in the IN-MD3 group. Donor-specific T cell responses were attenuated in the MA-MD3 group. In conclusion, MD3 monomaintenance therapy without maintenance CNI provides long-term liver allograft survival by suppressing chronic rejection, offering a potential breakthrough for future human trials.

First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow-ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post-mortem computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal deformities, including kyphoscoliosis, have been consistently documented in cetaceans. However, the majority of reported cases of kyphoscoliosis in cetaceans pertain to bottlenose dolphins, with limited information on its occurrence in narrow-ridged finless porpoise (NFP) (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In November 2021, two deceased NFPs were discovered stranded on the shores of the Republic of Korea. As part of the pioneer stranded cetacean imaging programme in the Republic of Korea, both carcasses underwent post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), revealing congenital and degenerative traumatic kyphoscoliosis, respectively. RESULTS: Although kyphoscoliosis may not have directly caused the demise of these individuals, it is hypothesized that the reduced spinal range of motion and mobility associated with kyphoscoliosis may have contributed to their deaths. CONCLUSION: This case report presents the first documented cases of kyphoscoliosis in two NFPs stranded in Korean waters, utilizing PMCT as an efficient methodology for assessing skeletal abnormalities in cetaceans.

Current Status of the Zebrafish Euthanasia and Humane Endpoint in the Republic of Korea and Guideline Suggestion from Nationwide Expert Elicitation: A Model for Other Countries.

Since its introduction as a model organism in the 1980s, the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in research has expanded worldwide. Despite its now widespread use in research, guidelines to safeguard the ethical treatment of zebrafish, particularly with regard to euthanasia and humane endpoint practices, remain inadequate. One well-recognized example is the use of excess tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) as a means to euthanize zebrafish, regardless of life stage. In this study, through nationwide expert elicitation, we provide a detailed account of zebrafish research practices within the Republic of Korea and the challenges of implementing appropriate methods for euthanasia as a humane endpoint, with many opting for hypothermic shock. We report a local expert consensus for establishing national guidelines to improve zebrafish welfare and good research practice. Suggestions and recommendations for national guidelines were offered. Taken together, our findings raise awareness broadly among zebrafish research practitioners in the field, offer an accurate account of the welfare and treatment of zebrafish in research within the Republic of Korea, and advocate for the development and implementation of national guidelines. As such, our study is useful as a model to adopt the expert elicitation approach to investigate, quantify, and address welfare concerns in zebrafish research, and to establish best practice guidelines.

Comparative Analysis of Antibacterial and Wound Healing Activities of Chitosan and Povidone-Iodine-Based Hydrogels.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the antibacterial and wound healing efficacies of chitosan hydrogel with povidone-iodine (PI) hydrogel. METHODS: The in vitro antibacterial activities of chitosan and PI hydrogels against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were evaluated. Nine 6- to 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into plain, PI, and chitosan hydrogel groups. Each rat received two 10-mm full-thickness dorsal wounds using an excisional splinting model. Each wound was treated with 0.2 mL of gel thrice over the course of 3 postoperative weeks. Weekly observations were conducted, and at the end of the third postoperative week, the rats were killed for histopathological and quantitative polymerase chain reaction evaluations. Data analysis included both 2- and 1-way analyses of variance. RESULTS: Chitosan hydrogel exhibited comparable in vitro antibacterial activity and a significantly enhanced in vivo wound closure rate compared with PI hydrogel. Three weeks after the surgery, the chitosan hydrogel group demonstrated marked differences in wound repair (P < 0.01). Histologically, increased collagen deposition was observed with chitosan hydrogel treatment. Immunohistochemistry for CD68 revealed a lower number of macrophages in the wounds treated with chitosan hydrogel. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated a superior collagen 1 to 3 ratio and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs (interleukin 1b, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and interferon γ) in the chitosan hydrogel group. CONCLUSION: Chitosan hydrogel demonstrates the potential to serve as an effective alternative to PI hydrogel, providing enhanced wound healing capabilities while maintaining comparable antimicrobial properties.

Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri).

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.

Fatal upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in an East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri): findings in post-mortem computed tomography.

The present case report aims to outline the post-mortem findings of an East Asian finless porpoise with upper aerodigestive tract obstruction using different post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) visualization techniques and discusses the potential cause of death of this individual. A dead-stranded adult male East Asian finless porpoise was recovered from the Northern coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The carcass was frozen in Jeju National University within 2 h upon first reported. The PMCT examinations were performed at 120 kVp, 200 mAs with a section thickness of 1 mm. The scan field of view (sFOV) was set to 400 mm. Four image rendering techniques, including multi-planar reconstruction, three-dimensional volume rendering, perspective volume rendering, and minimum intensity projection technique, were used to aid the diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in the stranded finless porpoise. Conventional necropsy was performed to provide a complete necropsy report. Using PMCT, a Sebastidae of 24 cm measured length was found to be lodged in the left pharyngeal food channel and esophagus of the finless porpoise. Hard rays of the pectoral fin of the lodged fish have impaled the esophageal mucosa. Fishing gear was found to embed at the dorsal side of the lodged fish. The trachea was compressed ventrally and the arytenoepiglottic tube opening has been narrowed, which may precipitate to the finless porpoise difficult breathing. Pulmonary hyperinflation, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, and pneumorrhachis were observed. This case report represents the first documentation of potential radiological indicators of upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in the East Asian finless porpoise using PMCT. Spatial location of the lodged item could be rendered in situ as the time of death. It has demonstrated that PMCT could provide objective measurements to adjunct the necropsy findings in diagnosis of fatal aerodigestive tract obstruction in stranded cetaceans.

Multiple Injections of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Improve Graft Survival in Human-to-Rat Skin Xenotransplantation through Immune Modulation.

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) exert immunomodulatory effects in the treatment of transplant rejection. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ADSCs on the skin graft survival in a human-to-rat xenograft transplantation model and to compare single and multiple injections of ADSCs. METHODS: Full-thickness human skin xenografts were transplanted into the backs of Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were injected subcutaneously on postoperative days 0, 3, and 5. The injections were as follows: triple injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group), a single injection of ADSCs and double injections of PBS (ADSC × 1 group), and triple injections of ADSCs (ADSC × 3 group). The immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs on human skin xenografts were assessed. RESULTS: Triple injections of ADSCs considerably delayed cell-mediated xenograft rejection compared with the PBS and ADSC × 1 groups. The vascularization and collagen type 1-3 ratios in the ADSC × 3 group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. In addition, intragraft infiltration of CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, and CD68-positive cells was reduced in the ADSC × 3 group. Furthermore, in the ADSC × 3 group, the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were decreased and immunosuppressive prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) was increased in the xenograft and lymph node samples. CONCLUSION: This study presented that triple injections of ADSCs appeared to be superior to a single injection in suppressing cell-mediated xenograft rejection. The immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs are associated with the downregulation of IFN-γ and upregulation of PGES in skin xenografts and lymph nodes.

A modified induced membrane 2-stage technique using a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap followed by vascularized or non-vascularized free fibular transfer for the treatment of complex bone infection with concomitant severe soft tissue lesion-A case series of 9 cases.

Treatment of post-traumatic complex bone infection is very challenging. The two principal bone reconstruction approaches are the single-stage vascularized bone graft technique and the two-stage induced membrane technique (IMT). Here we introduce a modified 2-stage induced membrane technique (MIMT) for complex long bone infection with a major bone defect and a concomitant severe soft tissue lesion. The 2-stage procedure consists of bone debridement, placement of a PMMA spacer and soft tissue reconstruction with a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap ("Tdap") at stage 1. At stage 2, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap is elevated and a fibular strut graft (either vascularized of non-vascularized) is placed for bone reconstruction. We retrospectively analyzed the extents of lower extremity, long bone, post-traumatic bone infection treated via MIMT from 2008 to 2020. There were nine such cases (eight males) of mean age 59.8 (range 31 to 79) years. The osteomyelitis durations ranged from 3 to 360 months (mean 53 months). The cortical bone defect sizes was ranged from 9 to 14 cm (mean10.7 cm). All skin resurfacing employed Tdap. Vascularized fibular grafts were placed in six patients and non-vascularized grafts were placed in three. The fibular graft size ranged from 12.5 to 19 cm (mean 16.2 cm). Non-vascularized iliac bone grafts served as the fibula docking sites. Unfortunately, all patients suffered complications before bone union was achieved. One case of plate stress fracture and one case of screw fracture required plate and screw change. In three cases of cellulitis, one resolved by use of intravenous antibiotics, others required plate and screw removal. Wound disruption required re-suture and distal skin flap partial necrosis was covered by perforator-based island flap. One case of fibular stress fracture needed cast for 4 weeks. A peroneal nerve palsy patient recovered spontaneously. Bone union was achieved after 6 months in five patients and after 8 months in three (mean 6.9 months). All patients were able to walk unaided. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 14 years (mean 6.2 years). MIMT saves the limbs in cases with difficult post-traumatic bone infection. It is valid treatment option for complex bone infections with severe soft tissue lesions. However, even with this technique potential complication must be considered.

A new era of macrophage-based cell therapy.

Macrophages are essential innate immune cells found throughout the body that have protective and pathogenic functions in many diseases. When activated, macrophages can mediate the phagocytosis of dangerous cells or materials and participate in effective tissue regeneration by providing growth factors and anti-inflammatory molecules. Ex vivo-generated macrophages have thus been used in clinical trials as cell-based therapies, and based on their intrinsic characteristics, they outperformed stem cells within specific target diseases. In addition to the old methods of generating naïve or M2 primed macrophages, the recently developed chimeric antigen receptor-macrophages revealed the potential of genetically engineered macrophages for cell therapy. Here, we review the current developmental status of macrophage-based cell therapy. The findings of important clinical and preclinical trials are updated, and patent status is investigated. Additionally, we discuss the limitations and future directions of macrophage-based cell therapy, which will help broaden the potential utility and clinical applications of macrophages.

Nodular type predominance of head and neck cutaneous malignant melanoma in Asian populations leads to poor outcome and low survival.

Cutaneous malignant melanomas of the head and neck (HNM) are proposed to have notable histological and clinical differences from those at other sites (other melanoma); however, HNMs among Asians have remained poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of HNM in Asians. Asian melanoma patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2003 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological features and risk factors for local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were analyzed. Among 230 patients, 28 (12.2%) were diagnosed with HNM, and 202 (87.8%) with other melanoma. The histologic subtype significantly differed as the nodular type was predominant in HNM whereas the acral lentiginous type was predominant in other melanoma ( P  < 0.001). HNM was significantly associated with higher local recurrence ( P  = 0.045), lymph node metastasis ( P  = 0.048), distant metastasis ( P  = 0.023), and lower 5-year disease-free survival ( P  = 0.022) than other melanoma. Ulceration was the risk factor for lymph node metastasis based on multivariable analysis ( P  = 0.013). A high proportion of HNM present as the nodular subtype in Asians, leading to poor outcomes and low survival. Therefore, more cautious surveillance, evaluation, and aggressive treatment are required.

MicroRNA and Messenger RNA Expression Profiles in Canine Mammary Gland Tumor.

Canine mammary gland tumor (CMT) is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm in intact female dogs. As prognosis depends on the malignancy of tumors and metastasis levels, early and accurate diagnosis are crucial for prolongation of life expectancy. The genetic similarity of dogs with humans in addition to environmental and physiological similarities make them ideal models for the study of cancer. In this study, we analyzed differentially expressed microRNAs followed by RNA-Seq to investigate the alterations in mRNA levels based on the malignancy (benign, malignant) and the biopsy locations (tumors, surrounding normal tissues). We identified multiple breast cancer-related genes regardless of malignancy. We found cfa-miR-503 to be the only miRNA that showed altered expression in response to malignancy in CMTs. Although further validation is needed, cfa-miR-503 could be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker as well as a potential RNA-based anti-tumor drug in malignant CMTs.

Microplastics in large marine animals stranded in the Republic of Korea.

Microplastics (MPs) are found in every ocean and are frequently ingested by marine animals. This study analyzed MPs in the stomachs and intestines of 12 large marine animals comprising one fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), seven finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), two loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), one Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) that were stranded off the Republic of Korea between 2019 and 2021. MPs were detected with a mean abundance of 3.42 ± 3.2 items/g and were predominantly of transparent-white, fragment-shaped polypropylene smaller than 200 µm. The abundance of MPs found did not correlate with the biological information (maturity, body length) of the finless porpoises and there were no significant differences in the abundance of MPs between the stomachs and intestines. These results cannot accurately assess the impact of MPs on large marine animals, so further studies are necessary to understand how MPs can potentially affect them.

Evaluation of Paste-Type Micronized Acellular Dermal Matrix for Soft Tissue Augmentation: Volumetric and Histological Assessment in a Mouse Model.

BACKGROUND: A biological injectable material, paste-type micronized acellular dermal matrix (ADM), has been proven effective in wound healing by filling defects through tissue replacement. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of paste-type micronized ADM on soft tissue augmentation with that of the conventional fillers in animal experiments. METHODS: Two distinct paste-type micronized ADMs, which were mixed with distilled water (mADM) and gelatin (mADM+GEL), respectively, were compared with conventional fillers, hyaluronic acid (HA) and polymethyl methacrylate (COL+PMMA). Thus, four different types of fillers were each injected into the dorsum of nude mice to compare the volume retention and biocompatibility. During the 8-week experimental period, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) images were obtained for volumetric analysis. Histological evaluation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and CD 31 staining. RESULTS: According to the CT images at week 8, the mADM and mADM+GEL showed a higher volume persistence rate of 113.54% and 51.12%, compared with 85.09% and 17.65% for HA and COL+PMMA, respectively. The 2-week interval ultrasound images revealed that the mADM showed a volume increase in width rather than in height, and an increase in height for HA did not vary much. Histological analysis showed marked fibrous invasion and neovascularization with the mADM and mADM+GEL compared to that of the conventional fillers. CONCLUSIONS: Paste-type micronized ADM showed soft tissue augmentation with similar effectiveness to that of conventional fillers. Therefore, paste-type micronized ADM has potential as an alternative material for a soft tissue filler in tissue replacement. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. 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 .

Diabetic foot resurfacing using microvascular tissue transfer from lateral thoracic region.

AIMS: Diabetic foot ulcer is a major complication of diabetes mellitus and amputation is often needed. Since mortality rate after amputation is comparatively high, saving diabetic foot is required not only for preserving function and life quality, but also for decreasing mortality rate. This study was designed to analyse experience of limb salvage in patients with diabetic foot using free flaps from the lateral thoracic region over a 10-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2018, 297 cases of diabetic foot underwent surgical procedures. We analysed the 83 cases who underwent free flap from lateral thoracic region. Patient data were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients, 56 of them males, were included in this study. Age of patients ranged from 27 to 80 years. Twenty patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures. The latissimus dorsi muscle sparing technique was used in 7 cases. A thoracodorsal artery perforator flap was used in 68 cases. A thoracodorsal artery perforator chimaeric flap was performed in 8 cases. The flap survival rate was 98.8% and the limb salvage rate was 96.4%. The mean follow-up was 6.5 years. During follow-up 14 patients suffered recurrence of foot ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Ten-year experience of using flaps from the lateral thoracic region revealed superior outcomes in terms of flap survival and limb saving compared to those in a recent meta-analysis and other reports. Long vascular pedicle technique and the chimaeric technique might be the alternative methods for multiple or vascular insufficient diabetic foot defects.

MicroRNA Expression Variation in Female Dog (Canis familiaris) Reproductive Organs with Age and Presence of Uteropathy.

While aging is associated with microRNA (miRNA) expression, little is known about its role in the aging of dog reproductive organs. We examined miRNA expression in ovaries, oviducts, and uteri from young and old dogs and dogs with uteropathy to elucidate miRNA's role in aging. The ovaries, oviducts, and uteri of 18 dogs (Canis familiaris)-young (8.5 ± 1.9 months old), old (78.2 ± 29.0 months old), and those with uteropathy (104.4 ± 15.1 months old)-were collected for miRNA expression examination. Total RNA samples were extracted, reverse-transcribed to cDNA, and real-time PCR analysis was also performed. In ovaries, miR-708 and miR-151 levels were significantly higher in old dogs than in young dogs, and only let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, miR125b, and miR26a were significantly upregulated in dogs with uteropathy. In the oviducts and uteri of old dogs, miR-140, miR-30d, miR-23a, miR-10a, miR-125a, miR-221, and miR-29a were upregulated. Realtime quantitative PCR revealed that targeted mRNA was similarly regulated to miRNA. These results suggest that miRNAs of reproductive organs in dogs may be biological markers for aging and reproductive diseases and could be used for mediating aging.

Phage Cocktail in Combination with Kasugamycin as a Potential Treatment for Fire Blight Caused by Erwinia amylovora.

Recently, there has been an increasing number of blight disease reports associated with Erwinia amylovora and Erwinia pyrifoliae in South Korea. Current management protocols that have been conducted with antibiotics have faced resistance problems and the outbreak has not decreased. Because of this concern, the present study aimed to provide an alternative method to control the invasive fire blight outbreak in the nation using bacteriophages (phages) in combination with an antibiotic agent (kasugamycin). Among 54 phage isolates, we selected five phages, pEa_SNUABM_27, 31, 32, 47, and 48, based on their bacteriolytic efficacy. Although only phage pEa_SNUABM_27 showed host specificity for E. amylovora, all five phages presented complementary lytic potential that improved the host infectivity coverage of each phage All the phages in the cocktail solution could lyse phage-resistant strains. These strains had a decreased tolerance to the antibiotic kasugamycin, and a synergistic effect of phages and antibiotics was demonstrated both in vitro and on immature wound-infected apples. It is noteworthy that the antibacterial effect of the phage cocktail or phage cocktail-sub-minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of kasugamycin was significantly higher than the kasugamycin at the MIC. The selected phages were experimentally stable under environmental factors such as thermal or pH stress. Genomic analysis revealed these are novel Erwinia-infecting phages, and did not encode antibiotic-, virulence-, or lysogenic phage-related genes. In conclusion, we suggest the potential of the phage cocktail and kasugamycin combination as an effective strategy that would minimize the use of antibiotics, which are being excessively used in order to control fire blight pathogens.

Candida Manassasensis Infection in Mass Mortality Case of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser Baerii Fingerlings in the Republic of Korea: A Case Report.

With the growing demand for caviar products, sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) have become some of the most popular species in the aquaculture industry. Since sturgeon need more than 10 years to become sexually mature, protection against fatal diseases becomes particularly important in the industry. In March 2018, approximately 10% of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baerii fingerlings in a sturgeon hatchery in Jeolla Province, Republic of Korea, exhibited anorexia, abdominal distension, buoyancy loss, and abnormal behavior and eventually showed a 90% fatality rate. Twenty moribund fish were necropsied, and a distended stomach filled with gas was found in every case. A single colony dominated the intestinal lumen smear and was identified as Candida manassasensis by polymerase chain reaction targeting 18S ribosomal RNA. The same microorganism was also detected in the sturgeons' feed. Antifungal resistance was examined using the VITEK 2 system, and the isolate was susceptible to voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and flucytosine. The environmental stress factor for this case was speculated as decreased water temperature. Since similar cases have been observed for many years, further research to optimize precise treatment and prevention methods is required.

The Immunomodulatory Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Xenograft Transplantation Model.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ASCs on the survival of xenogeneic full-thickness skin grafts and compare intravenous and subcutaneous injections of ASCs. We divided 30 male C57BL/6 mice into control, intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SC) injection groups. In one group of 10 mice, mouse ASCs were intravenously injected after human full-thickness skin grafting (IV group). In another group of 10 mice, ASCs were directly injected into the subcutaneous plane under the xenogeneic grafts (SC group). An additional group of 10 mice received no treatment and served as controls. Bioluminescent imaging showed that ASCs were concentrated at the grafts during the study period in both IV and SC groups. We performed graft survival assessment, histologic examination, and immunohistochemistry analysis. ASCs significantly prolonged xenograft survival at postoperative week 2 in the SC group compared with the control group (P < .05). Histologic evaluation revealed fewer inflammatory reactions in the SC group than in the control group at 1 week posttransplantation. In addition, we observed relative reduction in CD4- and CD8-positive cells in the SC group compared with the control group. Intravenous injection of ASCs led to increased graft survival and decreased inflammatory reactions, but these differences were not statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that subcutaneous injection of ASCs promoted the survival of xenogeneic full-thickness skin grafts in mice. The underlying mechanisms of the immunosuppressive effects of ASCs should be further investigated.