The Healing Effect of Stem Cells Loaded in Nanofibrous Scaffolds on Full Thickness Skin Defects

In this study, we have evaluated the wound-healing effects of unrestricted somatic stem cells loaded in chitosan-cross linked PHBV nanofibrous scaffold, implanted into the full thickness skin defects of rats. Afterwards, the scaffolds were evaluated by structural, microscopic, physical and mechanical assays and cell culture analyses. Defects were treated with the scaffolds without and with USSCs. MU assay, immunostaining, and wound pathology were performed for groups twenty one days after implantation. SEM images showed the average diameter of about 100 nm for the nanofibrous scaffolds, increasing up to 500 nm after chitosan-crosslinking. Results of physical and mechanical analyses also showed a good resilience and compliance with movement as a skin graft. Cellular experiments showed a better cell adhesion, growth and proliferation inside the cross-linked nanofibrous scaffolds compared to un-cross linked ones. In animal models, all groups, excluding the control group, exhibited the most pronounced effect on wound closure, with the statistically significant improvement in wound healing being seen at post-operative day 21. Histological and immunostaining examinations of healed wounds from all groups, especially the groups treated with stem cells. Thus, the grafting of chitosan-cross-linked nanofibrous scaffold loaded with USSC showed better results during the healing process of skin defects in rat models.