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[Primary experimental studies on differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into skin appendage cells in vivo]
Haihong Li1, Xiaobing Fu, Jun Wang
1Burns Institute, 304th Medical Department, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100037, PR China.
Objective:
To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the cells of the skin appendages and the mechanism of their involvement in the wound healing.
Methods:
The bone marrow was collected from Wistar rats by the flushing of the femurs, MSCs were isolated and purified by the density gradient centrifugation. Then, the MSCs were amplified and labelled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The full-thickness skin wounds with an area of 1 cm x 1 cm were made on the mid back of the homogeneous male Wistar rats. At the same time, 1 x 10(6)/ml BrdU-labelled MSCs were infused from the penile vein. The specimens were harvested from the wound tissues on the 3rd day and the 7th day after operation and were immunohistochemically stained by either BrdU or BrdU and pan-keratin.
Results:
The BrdU positive cells appeared in the hypodermis, the sebaceous glands, and the hair follicles of the wounds, as well as the medullary canal of the femurs. The double-staining showed the BrdU positive cells in the sebaceous glands and the hair follicles of the wounds expressed pan-keratin simultaneously.
Conclusion:
During the course of the wound healing, MSCs are involved in the wound repair and can differentiate into the cells of the skin appendages under the microenvironment of the wound.
Insights
Marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into skin appendage cells during wound healing. These MSCs contribute to skin repair by integrating into the wound microenvironment and forming new skin structures.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with regenerative potential.
- The role of MSCs in wound healing, particularly in skin appendage formation, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into skin appendage cells.
- To investigate the mechanism by which MSCs contribute to wound healing processes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation, purification, and BrdU-labeling of rat bone marrow MSCs.
- Creation of full-thickness skin wounds in Wistar rats.
- Intravenous infusion of BrdU-labeled MSCs and subsequent immunohistochemical analysis of wound tissues.
Main Results:
- BrdU-positive cells (indicating MSCs) were found in the hypodermis, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles of wound tissues.
- Co-localization of BrdU and pan-keratin staining confirmed MSC differentiation into sebaceous gland and hair follicle cells.
- BrdU-positive cells were also observed in the medullary canal of femurs.
Conclusions:
- Marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) actively participate in wound repair.
- MSCs possess the capacity to differentiate into skin appendage cells within the wound microenvironment.
- This differentiation contributes to the overall process of skin regeneration.
