The Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Full-Thickness Skin Grafts

Abstract EN

Background.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ASCs on full-thickness skin grafts.

Specifically, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ASCs that are mediated via regulation of the phenotypes of activated macrophages.

Methods.

ASCs were isolated, cultured, and injected under full-thickness skin grafts in 15 rats (ASC group).

An additional 15 rats served as controls (PBS group).

Skin graft survival assessment and vascularization detection were assessed with H&E staining and laser Doppler blood flowmetry (LDF).

The effects of ASCs on angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, collagen accumulation-promoting, and antiscarring were assessed.

Results.

We found that the skin graft survival rate was significantly increased in the ASC group.

The neovascularization, collagen deposition, collagen type I to type III ratio, and levels of VEGF and TGF-β3 in the ASC group were markedly higher than those in the PBS group at day 14.

Additionally, in the ASC group, the levels of iNOS, IL-1β, and TNF-α were remarkably decreased, whereas the levels of IL-10 and Arg-1 were substantially increased.

Conclusions.

Our results confirm that ASCs transplantation can effectively improve full-thickness skin graft survival.

Additionally, the anti-inflammatory role of ASCs may indirectly contribute to skin graft survival via its effect on macrophage polarization.