Bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) interact with fibroblasts in accelerating wound healing

Bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) exhibit extraordinary degree of plasticity and growth factor repertoire for which they have been investigated for repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, but have not been adequately examined for wound healing. The ability of BMSCs to accelerate healing of surgically inflicted cutaneous and fascial wounds was tested in vivo in rats and in vitro using a fibroblast monolayer wound model. Intravenous treatment with BMSCs augmented healing of both cutaneous and fascial wounds as determined by an increase in the biomechanical strength of wounds. In vitro experiments showed that incorporation of BMSCs in fibroblast monolayers accelerates the closure of mechanically disrupted monolayers, which was attributed to the enhanced migration of fibroblasts onto the denuded surfaces. Furthermore, culture medium conditioned by activated BMSCs promoted the closure of defects in monolayers and enhanced the proliferation/growth and directional migration (chemotaxis) of fibroblasts. This study demonstrates that BMSCs significantly augment healing of cutaneous and fascial wounds in vivo at least in part through interaction with fibroblasts in which BMSCs promote growth and chemotaxis of fibroblasts.