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Supramolecular Hydrogel-Wrapped Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cutaneous Radiation Injury
Shasha Nie1,2, Chunhua Ren1, Xin Liang3
1Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
Cells
|October 14, 2022
Summary
Gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) encapsulated in peptide hydrogels effectively heal radiation-induced skin wounds in mice. This approach enhances skin cell repair by promoting proliferation, migration, and DNA repair via the EGFR/STAT3 pathway.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Radiation therapy frequently causes skin damage, necessitating effective treatments.
- Gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) show promise for skin disease therapy but face challenges with retention and efficacy.
- Developing localized delivery systems is crucial for maximizing stem cell therapeutic potential in skin regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of GMSCs encapsulated within a self-assembled peptide hydrogel (pY-Gel) for treating radiation-induced skin wounds.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms by which GMSCs promote skin cell repair after irradiation.
- To explore the potential of this novel cell-based therapy for cutaneous radiation injury.
Main Methods:
- Encapsulation of GMSCs within Nap-GDFDFpDY (pY-Gel) peptide hydrogels.
- Treatment of 137Cs γ-radiation-induced skin wounds in a murine model.
- Assessment of wound healing using skin damage scores, limb extension measurements, and histological/immunohistochemical analyses.
- In vitro studies using HaCaT and HFF cells to evaluate the effects of GMSC-conditioned medium (CM) on cell proliferation, migration, and DNA repair.
Main Results:
- pY-Gel encapsulated GMSCs significantly improved wound healing in irradiated skin tissues in vivo.
- GMSC-CM enhanced proliferation, migration, and DNA damage repair in irradiated human skin cells (HaCaT and HFF).
- GMSC-CM upregulated the expression of EGFR, STAT3, and MMPs, indicating activation of the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- pY-Gel hydrogel encapsulation is an effective strategy for delivering GMSCs to treat radiation-induced skin injury.
- GMSC-derived factors activate the EGFR/STAT3 pathway, contributing to skin cell repair and regeneration.
- This GMSC-based hydrogel therapy holds promise as a novel treatment for radiation-induced cutaneous damage.
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