Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Secretome Accelerated Wound Healing in a Rodent Model

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to play a biological role in wound healing. There have been few studies on the healing effect of the secretome, which is made up of many biological factors secreted by MSCs. The goal of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of secretome versus MSCs on wound healing. Green florescent protein labelled adipose-derived MSCs (GFP-ADMSCs) or secretome was injected in the full-thickness skin excision model on SD rats. The wound healing process was assessed by calculating the healing rate and performing histological examinations on skin biopsy. The cell viability, proliferation, and mobility of rat dermal fibroblasts were compared after various treatments. The level of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines in macrophages was determined by NO assay and ELISA. On day 5 and day 14, both MSCs and secretome accelerated the wound healing, secretome further enhanced the process. GFP-MSCs were discovered 10 days after the transplant. MSCs and secretome treatments reduced the levels of IL-6 and TNF -\(\alpha\) in the blood. After treatment, the expressions of VEGF and PCNA increased, with a higher intensity of VEGF observed in secretome-injected tissue.After the treatment, FR's cell viability and proliferation were markedly boosted. The scratch test revealed that secretome sped up the rate of wound healing. Although macrophage metabolism was significantly lowered by Secretome, the amount of NO released by macrophages was unaffected. The research showed that MSCs and MSC-derived secretome improved the initial stages of wound healing.  Secretome enhanced the healing effects by promoting fibroblast proliferation and migration while suppressing the inflammatory response.