LRG-1 promotes fat graft survival through the RAB31-mediated inhibition of hypoxia-induced apoptosis

Autologous adipose tissue is an ideal soft tissue filling material, and its biocompatibility is better than that of artificial tissue substitutes, foreign bodies and heterogeneous materials. Although autologous fat transplantation has many advantages, the low retention rate of adipose tissue limits its clinical application. Here, we identified a secretory glycoprotein, leucine-rich-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG-1), that could promote fat graft survival through RAB31-mediated inhibition of hypoxia-induced apoptosis. We showed that LRG-1 injection significantly increased the maintenance of fat volume and weight compared with the control. In addition, higher fat integrity, more viable adipocytes and fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the LRG-1-treated groups. Furthermore, we discovered that LRG-1 could reduce the ADSC apoptosis induced by hypoxic conditions. The mechanism underlying the LRG-1-mediated suppression of the ADSC apoptosis induced by hypoxia was mediated by the upregulation of RAB31 expression. Using LRG-1 for fat grafts may prove to be clinically successful for increasing the retention rate of transplanted fat.