Evaluation of Skin Wound Healing with Biosheets Containing Somatic Stem Cells in a Dog Model: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has a positive effect on wound healing; however, the lack of adequate MSC engraftment at the wound site is a major limiting factor in current MSC-based therapies. In this study, a biosheet prepared using in-body tissue architecture (iBTA) was used as a material to address these problems. This study aimed to assess and evaluate whether biosheets containing somatic stem cells would affect the wound healing process in dogs. Biosheets were prepared by subcutaneously embedding molds in beagles. These were then evaluated grossly and histologically, and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, interleukins, and Nanog was examined in some biosheets. Skin defects were created on the skin of the beagles to which the biosheets were applied. The wound healing processes of the biosheet and control (no biosheet application) groups were compared for 8 weeks. Nanog mRNA was expressed in the biosheets, and SSEA4/CD105 positive cells were observed histologically. Although the wound contraction rates differed significantly in the first week, the biosheet group tended to heal faster than the control group. This study revealed that biosheets containing somatic stem cells may have a positive effect on wound healing.

Keywords

• in-body tissue architecture(iBTA)
• biosheet
• somatic stem cells
• skin wound healing
• tissue engineering