Decellularized placental sponge as an excellent carrier for human mesenchymal stem cells and management of full-thickness skin wounds: an in vitro and in vivo study

Abstract

Skin injuries lead to a large burden of morbidity. Although numerous clinical and scientific strategies have been investigated to repair injured skin, optimal regeneration therapy still poses a considerable obstacle. To address this challenge, the decellularized extracellular matrix-based scaffolds recellularized with stem cells offer significant advancements in skin regeneration and wound healing. Herein, a decellularized human placental sponge (DPS) was fabricated using the decellularization and freeze-drying technique, and then re-cellularized with human adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (MSCs). The biological and biomechanical properties and skin full-thickness wound healing capacity of the stem cells-DPS constructs were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The DPS exhibited a uniform three-dimensional microstructure with an interconnected pore network, 89.21% porosity, a low degradation rate, and good mechanical properties. The DPS and MSCs-DPS constructs were implanted in skin full-thickness wound models in mice. An accelerated wound healing was observed in the wounds implanted with MSCs-DPS construct when compared to DPS and control (wounds with no treatment) during 7 and 21 days post-implantation follow-up. In the MSCs-DPS group, the wound was completely re-epithelialized, the epidermis layer was properly organized, and the dermis and epidermis' bilayer structures were restored after 7 days. Our findings suggest DPS is an excellent carrier for MSCs culture and delivery to skin wounds and now promises to proceed with clinical evaluations.

Decellularized Placental Sponge: A Platform for Coculture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells/Macrophages to Assess an M2 Phenotype and Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro and In Vivo

“…They provide the necessary three-dimensional structure and mechanical strength to support bone formation. , Recruitment of stem cells from the synovial fluids cannot help bone regeneration when the microenvironment is unsuitable for cell adhesion . Furthermore, ECM scaffolds have demonstrated their potential to induce or support vascularization, creating an osteoinductive microenvironment that enhances bone tissue engineering. ,, It has been indicated that placental growth factors can support the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells . The healing process around implanted scaffolds involves interactions of multiple cell types, including inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and cells of mesenchymal origin. , MSCs are particularly significant due to their role as progenitors of osteoblasts.…”

“… 74 Furthermore, ECM scaffolds have demonstrated their potential to induce or support vascularization, creating an osteoinductive microenvironment that enhances bone tissue engineering. 15 , 75 , 76 It has been indicated that placental growth factors can support the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells. 77 The healing process around implanted scaffolds involves interactions of multiple cell types, including inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and cells of mesenchymal origin.…”