The mouse excisional wound splinting model, including applications for stem cell transplantation

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Dermatology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• The standard mouse excisional wound model is limited by significant skin contraction, unlike human wound healing.
• A splinting technique is crucial for accurately assessing wound closure mechanisms beyond contraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a modified mouse excisional wound healing model that minimizes skin contraction.
• To detail a protocol for evaluating stem cell therapy in cutaneous wound repair and regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a mouse excisional wound splinting model to prevent local skin contraction.
• Implementing stem cell implantation into the wound bed (e.g., in Matrigel) or surrounding tissue via injection.
• Harvesting serial wound tissue samples for analysis at various time points.

Main Results:

• The splinting model facilitates wound healing primarily through granulation and re-epithelialization, mimicking human responses.
• The protocol allows for the assessment of stem cell engraftment and their impact on angiogenesis and overall wound healing.
• The model enables a 2-4 week timeframe for comprehensive study of regenerative processes.

Conclusions:

• The mouse excisional wound splinting model provides a more human-relevant platform for studying cutaneous wound healing.
• This model is effective for investigating the therapeutic potential of stem cells in promoting skin regeneration and repair.
• The protocol facilitates detailed monitoring of stem cell integration and their effects on vascularization and healing outcomes.