Abstract
The skin is the largest organ of the body and has an array of functions. Skin compartments, epidermis, and hair follicles house stem cells that are indispensable for skin homeostasis and regeneration. These stem cells also contribute to wound repair, resulting in restoration of tissue integrity and function of damaged tissue. Unsuccessful wound healing processes often lead to non-healing wounds. Chronic wounds are caused by depletion of stem cells and a variety of other cellular and molecular mechanisms, many of which are still poorly understood. Current chronic wound therapies are limited, so the search to develop better therapeutic strategies is ongoing. Adult stem cells are gaining recognition as potential candidates for numerous skin pathologies. In this review, we will discuss epidermal and other stem cells present in the skin, and highlight some of the therapeutic applications of epidermal stem cells and other adult stem cells as tools for cell/scaffold-based therapies for non-healing wounds and other skin disorders. We will also discuss emerging concepts and offer some perspectives on how skin tissue-engineered products can be optimized to provide efficacious therapy in cutaneous repair and regeneration.
Highlights
The skin, the largest organ in the body, possesses an array of functions—acting as a barrier for protection and prevention of dehydration, as a sensory and thermoregulatory organ, and as an active site of vitamin D synthesis and immune surveillance [1]
The research community strives to elucidate the roles of adult stem cells, associated molecular pathways, and matrix components in order to restore disturbed skin homeostasis, aiding in the future development of more effective therapeutic strategies
Choosing the right stem cell type that will aid in the complete regeneration of fully functional skin with all components and appendages in vivo is extremely important
Summary
The skin, the largest organ in the body, possesses an array of functions—acting as a barrier for protection and prevention of dehydration, as a sensory and thermoregulatory organ, and as an active site of vitamin D synthesis and immune surveillance [1]. It is important to note that the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and vascular disease is a contributing factor to the rise of chronic wounds. Such wounds as diabetic, venous, and pressure ulcers are creating a major global issue with significant management costs. This review will focus primarily on epidermal and other skin stem cells, their therapeutic applications as tools for cell/scaffold-based therapies for non-healing wounds, and, to a lesser extent, other skin disorders. We will focus on the relevance of epidermal stem cells and other adult stem cells in the context of wound healing and skin disorders, and discuss their potential application in cell/scaffold-based wound therapies as well as their limitations
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