（Purpose）
Lymphedema could bring into discomfort and severely affect patients’ quality of life. At present, there is still no ideal treatment for lymphedema. Application of tissue engineering techniques in the treatment of lymphedema could provide an alternative way. Here, we hypothesized that adipose stem cells (ASCs)-seeded biological scaffolds could increase lymphangiogenesis and ease edematous status.

（Materials and Methods）
We created a rat tail lymphedema model and evaluated the effect of ASCs-seeded biological scaffolds on the alleviation of lymphedema. Rat tail edema was obtained by circumferential excision of skin at the tail base. The wounds were resurfaced by control (simple dressing), decellularized Wharton’s Jelly without ASCs and with ASCs (each n=6). The rat tail volume was calculated every week for 5 weeks. Biopsy of regenerated skin was done at week-5 and the tissues were sliced for histological examination (H&E, CD31, LYVE-1, CD86 & CD163)

（Results）
The tail lymphedema was created in this model. The tail volume reached plateau at 1st week and then decreased gradually in the control groups. The wounds healed at about 5th week. Both the group of ASCs-seeded decellularized wharton’s jelly and decellularized wharton’s jelly showed significantly less volume increase as compared to control group. Histology showed increased angiogenesis (CD31) and lymphangiogenesis (LYVE-1) in both of the groups.

（Conclusion）
Tissue engineering approach may have a role in the relief of lymphedema. In rat model, we found that ASCs-seeded decellularized wharton’s jelly could decrease edema development, which may be associated with enhancement of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.