Evaluation of epithelial progenitor cells and growth factors in a preclinical model of wound healing induced by mesenchymal stromal cells

Background: Skin wounds continue to be a global health problem. Several cellular therapy protocols have been used to improve and accelerate skin wound healing. Here, we evaluated the effect of transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) on the wound re-epithelialization process and its possible relationship with the presence of epithelial progenitor cells (EPC) and the expression of growth factors. Methods: An experimental wound model was developed in C57BL/6 mice. Human MSCs seeded on collagen membranes (CM) were implanted on wounds. As controls, animals with wounds without treatment or treated with CM were established. Histological and immunohistochemical (IH) studies were performed at day 3 post-treatment to detect early skin wound changes associated with the presence of EPC expressing Lgr6 and CD34 markers and the expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Results: MSC transplantation enhanced skin wound re-epithelialization, as compared with controls. It was associated with an increase in Lgr6(+) and CD34(+) cells and the expression of KGF and bFGF in the wound bed. Conclusion: Our results show that cutaneous wound healing induced by MSC is associated with an increase in EPC and growth factors. These preclinical results support the possible clinical use of MSC to treat cutaneous wounds.