Wound healing accelerated by stem cell bandage

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used to treat inflammatory diseases and injuries, including wound healing, as they can immunomodulate and regenerate via paracrine mechanisms. MSC spheres, also known as mesenspheres, have even greater potential than dissociated MSCs in wound healing because they can survive under hypothermic and hypoxic conditions as cell spheres. However, the usage of mesenspheres in wound treatment faces significant challenges, such as low spherification efficiency, uneven distribution in the wound, incomplete release from the dressing, and limitations in multiple administrations. In this study, we developed a new type of dressing known as a mesensphere bandage (MSB) that addresses these challenges by integrating the generation of mesenspheres and wound application into a single solution. The MSB is made of a highly biocompatible material called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which has thousands of patterned microwells that enable high-throughput mesensphere generation. The direct application of mesenspheres to the wound using the MSB ensures even distribution, complete delivery, and the possibility of multiple administrations. MSB has a shelf life of six days at room temperature, facilitating its clinical use. Our in vitro studies revealed that MSB enhances the secretion of factors that promote wound healing. In mouse model-based in vivo assays, MSB substantially accelerated wound healing efficacy by 33 % and enhanced skin remodeling by 58 % compared to those in the blank control group. We speculated that MSB may revolutionize MSC treatment for challenging skin wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers and burns.