Recent strategies for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells in wound healing

Abstract

Skin wound healing is a multi-stage process that depends on the coordination of multiple cells and mediators. Chronic or non-healing wounds resulting from the dysregulation of this process represent a challenge for the healthcare system. For skin wound management, there are various approaches to tissue recovery. For decades, stem cell therapy has made outstanding achievements in wound regeneration. Three major types of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, have been explored intensely. Mostly, mesenchymal stem cells are thought to be an extensive cell type for tissue repair. However, the limited cell efficacy and the underutilized therapeutic potential remain to be addressed. Exploring novel and advanced treatments to enhance stem cell efficacy is an urgent need. Diverse strategies are applied to maintain cell survival and increase cell functionality. In this study, we outline current approaches aiming to improve the beneficial outcomes of cell therapy to better grasp clinical cell transformation.

In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization Methods for Evaluation of Modern Wound Dressings

“…Moreover, stem cells prevent wound contracture and scar formation, mediate rapid wound closure, and accelerate wound healing and skin regeneration along with the formation of skin appendages, unlike other cell types. Numerous adult stem cell sources such as bone marrow, adipose, Wharton jelly, epidermal stem cells and emerging induced pluripotent stem cells are utilized in in vitro evaluation of wound dressings [ 218 , 219 , 220 ]. In addition, stem cells derived exosomes have demonstrated accelerated wound healing as it’s a reservoir of a wide range of growth factors that are essential for wound healing [ 221 ].…”

Biomembrane-Based Nanostructure- and Microstructure-Loaded Hydrogels for Promoting Chronic Wound Healing

“…MSCs regulate wound healing through a series of paracrine growth factors 155 and differentiate into effector cells involved in wound healing, 156 thereby promoting wound closure 157 and accelerating angiogenesis, 158 granulation tissue formation 159 and re-epithelialization. 158 Rustad et al 160 examined the delivery of MSCs to wounds in a biomimetic pullulan–collagen hydrogel to improve wound healing.…”

“…Pluripotent stem cells can accelerate wound healing because of their proliferative potential, differentiation capacity and ability to secrete a wide variety of nutrient factors for wound healing. 156 These properties eventually help to stimulate wound closure, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization and collagen deposition by reducing immunogenicity and increasing therapeutic effects. 167 Hydrogels delivering live cells have received significant attention because of their effectiveness in improving the transplantation and survival of cells for promoting wound healing.…”

Tissue Sheet Engineered Using Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

“…Moreover, when the wound scale is large, peripheral injections cannot deliver the cells to the center of the wound. There are also some reports on intravenous injections; however, this method could reduce the delivery efficiency of MSCs to the wounded area because some transplanted cells will be entrapped in the lungs, leading to their accumulation [ 22 , 23 ].…”