Enhanced Wound Healing and Autogenesis Through Lentiviral Transfection of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Combined with Dermal Substitute.

BACKGROUND

Burns and chronic ulcers may cause severe skin loss, leading to critical health issues like shock, infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. Effective healing of full-thickness wounds may be challenging, with traditional methods facing limitations due to tissue shortage, infection, and lack of structural support.

METHODS

This study explored the combined use of gene transfection and dermal substitutes to improve wound healing. We used the DGTM (genes: DNP63A, GRHL2, TFAP2A, and MYC) factors to transfect adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), inducing their differentiation into keratinocytes. These transfected ADSCs were then incorporated into Pelnac® dermal substitutes to enhance vascularization and cellular proliferation for better healing outcomes.

RESULTS

Gene transfer using DGTM factors successfully induced keratinocyte differentiation in ADSCs. The application of these differentiated cells with Pelnac® dermal substitute to dermal wounds in mice resulted in the formation of skin tissue with a normal epidermal layer and proper collagen organization. This method alleviates the tediousness of the multiple transfection steps in previous protocols and the safety issues caused by using viral transfection reagents directly on the wound. Additionally, the inclusion of dermal substitutes addressed the lack of collagen and elastic fibers, promoting the formation of tissue resembling healthy skin rather than scar tissue.

CONCLUSION

Integrating DGTM factor-transfected ADSCs with dermal substitutes represents a novel strategy for enhancing the healing of full-thickness wounds. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to optimize and validate this innovative approach for broader clinical applications.