SVF-gel application for the alleviation of full-thickness skin graft contraction: an experimental study in mice

Skin grafts often suffer from contracture, complicating recovery. SVF-gel shows promise in addressing scar contracture, but its therapeutic effects and mechanisms are not fully understood. This study evaluates the efficacy of SVF-gel in full-thickness skin grafting. Full-thickness skin grafts were harvested from mice dorsal skin, rotated and sutured. SVF-gel or saline was injected beneath the muscle fascia. Immunohistochemistry assessed SVF-gel's effects on angiogenesis, collagen deposition, fibrosis, and dermal adipocytes. Keloid-related genes from GSE92566 and GSE158395 were analyzed for functional enrichment and protein-protein interactions, with hub genes validated using GSE190626. SVF-gel significantly increased the grafted area, thickness of the epidermal and dermal adipose layers, and hair follicles compared to the control group. SVF-gel enhanced CD31 and perilipin expression, decreased α-SMA expression, and identified HLA⁺ cells around CD31⁺ cells in the dermal microvessels and adipose tissue of the graft. Sixty commonly downregulated keloid-related genes were identified, with KEGG pathway analysis indicating enrichment in the PPAR signaling pathway and lipolysis regulation. Five hub genes (ADIPOQ, FABP4, KRT7, LEP, and PIP) were validated. SVF-gel shows promise as a stem cell therapy for skin grafts, improving outcomes by enhancing revascularization, increasing collagen fiber density and regularity, accelerating myofibroblast turnover, promoting adipogenesis, and increasing hair follicles.