Effects of human amniotic membrane grafts combined with marrow mesenchymal stem cells on healing of full-thickness skin defects in rabbits

Abstract

We have investigated the wound-healing effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with human amniotic membrane (HAM) when grafted into full-thickness skin defects of rabbits. Five defects in each of four groups were respectively treated with HAM loaded with autologous MSCs (group A), HAM loaded with allologous MSCs (group B), HAM with injected autologous MSCs (group C), and HAM with injected allologous MSCs (group D). The size of the wounds was calculated for each group at 7, 12, and 15 days after grafting. The wounds were subsequently harvested at 25 days after grafting. Sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were used to determine the quality of wound healing, as based on the characteristics and amount of granulated tissue in the epidermal and dermal layers. Groups A and B showed the most pronounced effect on wound closure, with statistically significant improvement in wound healing being seen on post-operative days 7, 12, and 15. Although a slight trend toward improved wound healing was seen in group A compared with group B, no statistically significant difference was found at any time point between the two groups. Histological examination of healed wounds from groups A and B showed a thin epidermis with mature differentiation and collagen bundle deposition plus recovered skin appendages in the dermal layer. In contrast, groups C and D showed thickened epidermis with immature epithelial cells and increased fibroblast proliferation with only partially recovered skin appendages in the dermal layer. Thus, the graft of HAM loaded with MSCs played an effective role during the healing of skin defects in rabbits, with no significant difference being observed in wound healing between autologous and allologous MSC transplantation.

Production of an acellular matrix from amniotic membrane for the synthesis of a human skin equivalent

“…In our study, the first objective was to analyze which of all the methods described in the literature was the most effective to eliminate not only the epithelium, but also stromal cells (Yang et al 2009;Lim et al 2009;Hopkinson et al 2008;Barreto de Melo et al 2007;Kim et al 2009). We were able to establish that digestion with 1 % T/E for 30 min at 37°C completely eliminated not only the epithelium, but also the cells of the stroma.…”

Culture medium from TNF-α–stimulated mesenchymal stem cells attenuates allergic conjunctivitis through multiple antiallergic mechanisms

“…Of note, the combination of amniotic membrane treatment and MSCs has shown better therapeutic effects than amniotic membrane treatment alone in patients with ocular chemical burns, skin defects, and articular cartilage defects. 47,48 Thus for some severe ocular disorders, the combination of amniotic membrane treatment and MSCs or MSC-CMT might be a promising therapy.…”

Human unrestricted somatic stem cells loaded in nanofibrous PCL scaffold and their healing effect on skin defects

“…Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or epidermal cells have been demonstrated playing an eff ective role in promoting wound healing when injected into the skin defect, either alone or in combination with human amniotic membrane (HAM) (Kim et al 2008). Sung has shown that HAM loaded with MSCs improves wound healing (Kim 2009). Umbilical cord blood contains hematopoietic as well as non-hematopoietic MSCs, the latter also known as CBEs (Cord Blood Embryonic-like stem cells) (Branski et al 2009).…”