Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells laden novel thermo-sensitive hydrogel for the management of severe skin wound healing

Abstract

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are easy to collect and culture, and it is identified that it has multi-directional differentiation potential, moreover it has low immunogenicity, hence it can be used as an allogeneic cell source for skin wound healing. Hydrogel has been widely used in skin wound healing own to it is able to mimic the 3D microenvironment of cells, which supports cell proliferation, migration and secretion. In this study, we created a novel biocompatible thermo-sensitive hydrogel to carry BMSCs for full-thickness skin wound healing. The thermo-sensitive hydrogel loaded with BMSCs can fast achieve sol-gel transition after implanting to the wound. Histological results confirmed that hydrogel-BMSCs combination group showed significant promotion of wound closure, epithelial cells' proliferation and re-epithelialization, and reduced inflammatory responses in the wounds and in the tissues surrounding the wounds. The combination therapy also can promote collagen deposition, TGF-β1 and bFGF secretion and tissue remodeling. The present study provides a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of skin wounds.

Keywords: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs); Fibroblast growth factor (FGF); Hydrogel; Skin wound healing; Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1).