Human urine-derived stem cells in combination with polycaprolactone/gelatin nanofibrous membranes enhance wound healing by promoting angiogenesis.

Yinxin Fu,Yang Wang,Fei Guo,Shangchun Guo,Xin Niu,Changqing Zhang,Huarong Nie,Junjie Guan,Qiang Liu

doi:10.1186/s12967-014-0274-2

Abstract

BackgroundDespite advancements in wound healing techniques and devices, new treatments are needed to improve therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of a new biomaterial engineered from human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) and polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GT) for wound healing.MethodsUSCs were isolated from healthy individuals. To fabricate PCL/GT composite meshes, twin-nozzle electrospinning were used to spin the PCL and gelatin solutions in normal organic solvents. The morphologies and hydrophilicity properties of PCL/GT membranes were investigated. After USCs were seeded onto a PCL/GT, cell adhesion, morphology, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were examined. Then, USCs were seeded on a PCL/GT blend nanofibrous membrane and transplanted into rabbit full-thickness skin defects for wound repair. Finally, the effect of USCs condition medium on proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were performed in vitro.ResultsUSCs were successfully isolated from urine samples and expressed specific mesenchymal stem cells markers and could differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. PCL/GT membrane has suitable mechanical properties similar with skin tissue and has good biocompatibility. USCs-PCL/GT significantly enhanced the healing of full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits compared to wounds treated with PCL/GT membrane alone or untreated wounds. USCs-PCL/GT-treated wounds closed much faster, with increased re-epithelialization, collagen formation, and angiogenesis. Moreover, USCs could secrete VEGF and TGF-β1, and USC-conditioned medium enhanced the migration, proliferation, and tube formation of endothelial cells.ConclusionUSCs in combination with PCL/GT significantly prompted the healing of full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits. USCs based therapy provides a novel strategy for accelerating wound closure and promoting angiogenesis.

Highlights

Autologous, allograft, and xenograft skin transplants are often employed to treat large areas of skin damage caused by wounds, ulcers, burns, or inflammation
We investigated the benefits of urine-derived stem cells (USCs) in combination with PCL/GT nanofibrous membranes for wound healing in a rabbit full-thickness skin excision wound model
We demonstrated for the first time that the transplantation of biomaterials engineered by incorporating USCs into PCL/GT nanofibrous membranes enhanced wound healing in a rabbit full-thickness skin wound model

Summary

Introduction

Autologous, allograft, and xenograft skin transplants are often employed to treat large areas of skin damage caused by wounds, ulcers, burns, or inflammation. The identification of a new source of autologous stem cells that is easy to obtain via a non-invasive route is imperative. Stem-like cells have been extracted from adult urine and named urine derived stem cells (USCs) [9,10,11,12]. These cells exhibit stem cell markers similar to those of ASCs and the ability to differentiate into osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and endothelial cells [12]. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of a new biomaterial engineered from human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) and polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GT) for wound healing

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