The role of bone marrow mononuclear cell-conditioned medium in the proliferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have demonstrated the great potential of bone marrow cells in regenerative medicine, not only for their ability to differentiate to match a damaged cell type, but also because they synthesize and release various growth factors and cytokines. We examined the effect of bone marrow cell-conditioned medium in the healing process, especially in terms of fibroblast proliferation and migration. METHODS: These in vitro studies consisted of co-culture (without direct contact) of dermal fibroblasts with mononuclear bone marrow cells and the use of conditioned medium obtained from these cultures in a scratch wound model. RESULTS: Mononuclear cells were found to increase the proliferation of fibroblasts, and the conditioned medium showed a stimulatory effect on the migration of fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: When considered together with the observed increase in growth factor levels in conditioned medium, it appears that these cells act through a paracrine mechanism.