{"title":"Autologous fibroblast therapy for facial rejuvenation: A randomized open-label controlled study","authors":"Pietro Gentile","doi":"10.1016/j.jpra.2026.05.045","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The aging process of the face is characterized by dermal thinning, loss of elasticity, and wrinkle formation. Injection of autologous micrografts containing fibroblasts (Am-FBs) has emerged as a promising regenerative technique.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Am-FBs for facial rejuvenation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A randomized, open-label, controlled study was conducted. Forty patients presenting with mild to moderate dermal thinning, reduced elasticity, and wrinkles were divided into two groups: a study group (SG; n = 20) that received Am-FBs treatment and a control group (CG; n = 20) treated with a hyaluronic acid (HA)–based skin booster. Both groups received treatment at baseline (T0), at one month (T1), and at three months (T2). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at T1, T2, T3 (6 months), and T4 (12 months) through patient and physician evaluations, the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), and objective skin elasticity metrics. <em>In vitro</em> evaluation of the Am-FBs and immunophenotypic characterization of the nucleated cell population contained in the Am-FBs suspension was performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At T4, the SG showed significantly greater improvements in wrinkle depth, skin elasticity, and WSRS score than the CG (<em>p</em> < 0.01). The physician’s evaluation showed scores ranging from 9 to 4 (<em>p</em> = 0.049), whereas patient self-assessments ranged from 9 to 5 (<em>p</em> = 0.039). Patient satisfaction was higher in the SG. The in vitro analysis documented 2.780.750 nucleated cells/ml in Am-FBs with a viability of 89.61% and immunophenotype: CD34%0.2, CD45%0.2, CD44%98.7, CD200%80.0, Cytokeratin 15%99.4.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Am-FBs significantly improve signs of facial aging and present a safe option for skin rejuvenation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37996,"journal":{"name":"JPRAS Open","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 632-644"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8000,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13285675/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"JPRAS Open","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235258782600207X","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/6/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"SURGERY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
The aging process of the face is characterized by dermal thinning, loss of elasticity, and wrinkle formation. Injection of autologous micrografts containing fibroblasts (Am-FBs) has emerged as a promising regenerative technique.
Objectives
This trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Am-FBs for facial rejuvenation.
Methods
A randomized, open-label, controlled study was conducted. Forty patients presenting with mild to moderate dermal thinning, reduced elasticity, and wrinkles were divided into two groups: a study group (SG; n = 20) that received Am-FBs treatment and a control group (CG; n = 20) treated with a hyaluronic acid (HA)–based skin booster. Both groups received treatment at baseline (T0), at one month (T1), and at three months (T2). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at T1, T2, T3 (6 months), and T4 (12 months) through patient and physician evaluations, the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), and objective skin elasticity metrics. In vitro evaluation of the Am-FBs and immunophenotypic characterization of the nucleated cell population contained in the Am-FBs suspension was performed.
Results
At T4, the SG showed significantly greater improvements in wrinkle depth, skin elasticity, and WSRS score than the CG (p < 0.01). The physician’s evaluation showed scores ranging from 9 to 4 (p = 0.049), whereas patient self-assessments ranged from 9 to 5 (p = 0.039). Patient satisfaction was higher in the SG. The in vitro analysis documented 2.780.750 nucleated cells/ml in Am-FBs with a viability of 89.61% and immunophenotype: CD34%0.2, CD45%0.2, CD44%98.7, CD200%80.0, Cytokeratin 15%99.4.
Conclusions
Am-FBs significantly improve signs of facial aging and present a safe option for skin rejuvenation.
期刊介绍:
JPRAS Open is an international, open access journal dedicated to publishing case reports, short communications, and full-length articles. JPRAS Open will provide the most current source of information and references in plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery. The Journal is based on the continued need to improve surgical care by providing highlights in general reconstructive surgery; cleft lip, palate and craniofacial surgery; head and neck surgery; skin cancer; breast surgery; hand surgery; lower limb trauma; burns; and aesthetic surgery. The Journal will provide authors with fast publication times.