Stem cell therapy in dermatology

Abstract

Stem cells are precursor cells present in many tissues with ability to differentiate into various types of cells. This interesting property of plasticity can have therapeutic implications and there has been substantial research in this field in last few decades. As a result, stem cell therapy is now used as a therapeutic modality in many conditions, and has made its way in dermatology too. Stem cells can be classified on the basis of their source and differentiating capacity. In skin, they are present in the inter-follicular epidermis, hair follicle, dermis and adipose tissue, which help in maintaining normal skin homeostasis and repair and regeneration during injury. In view of their unique properties, they have been employed in treatment of several dermatoses including systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleromyxedema, alopecia, Merkel cell carcinoma, pemphigus vulgaris, psoriasis, wound healing, epidermolysis bullosa and even aesthetic medicine, with variable success. The advent of stem cell therapy has undoubtedly brought us closer to curative treatment of disorders previously considered untreatable. Nevertheless, there are multiple lacunae which need to be addressed including ideal patient selection, timing of intervention, appropriate conditioning regimens, post-intervention care and cost effectiveness. Further research in these aspects would help optimize the results of stem cell therapy.

Age‐related decrease in responsiveness of CD271 ‐positive skin stem cells to growth factors

“…1,2 In the skin, somatic stem cells are located within follicles, interfollicular epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue, providing cells for homeostatic maintenance and tissue repair when damage occurs. [3][4][5][6] In the basal stratum of the epidermis, interfollicular epidermal stem cells (IFE-SCs) generate stem cells and committed progenitors mainly through asymmetric division. 7 In turn, the committed progenitors produce suprabasal layer cells, which function as an epidermal barrier after terminal differentiation.…”

“…Somatic stem cells exist in various tissues constituting the human body and, through self‐renewal and differentiation, play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and repairing damaged tissue 1,2 . In the skin, somatic stem cells are located within follicles, interfollicular epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue, providing cells for homeostatic maintenance and tissue repair when damage occurs 3–6 . In the basal stratum of the epidermis, interfollicular epidermal stem cells (IFE‐SCs) generate stem cells and committed progenitors mainly through asymmetric division 7 .…”

Regenerative medicine in aesthetics

“…[23] Other dermatologic disorders in which stem cell therapy has been utilized include pemphigus, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, vitiligo, and epidermolysis bullosa. [24] It must be noted that stem cell therapies are still in their nascent stages. Potential adverse effects such as rejection, malignant potential, uncontrolled sessions per month and hair regrowth (r = 0.5, P = 0.03), while mean age was negatively correlated with the percentage change in hair density (r = -0.56, P = 0.016).…”

“…Among dermatological disorders, the use of Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is permitted for children (but not adults) with systemic sclerosis. [24]…”

Is the targeted approach for vitiligo satisfactory?

“…54 Autologous Mesenchymal stem cell therapy has been shown to stimulate the mobilization of healthy melanocytes, leading to successful repigmentation of skin lesions in vitiligo patients. 55…”