Skin Wound Healing: Skin Regeneration With Pharmacological Mobilized Stem Cells

The involvement of bone marrow stem cells in the formation of granulation tissue and epidermis has long been known. However, most studies have shown results that have proved the principle but have limited clinical use because of expense and marginal improvement in healing times and scarring. We discovered in our transplantation studies that the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) binding agent AMD-3100, combined with subimmunosuppressive doses of FK506, worked synergistically to liberate essential stem cells from the bone marrow, rescuing grafts from rejection and producing a chimeric graft. Applying this technique to excisional wounds in rats and mice resulted in 25% faster epithelialization. The dermis was well organized and thinner, and skin appendages were present. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of multiple growth factors and angiogenic cytokines was identified in the wounds. Similar good outcomes were achieved with burns. Stem cells bearing the CD133 marker were the principle contributors to new blood vessels, epidermis, and hair follicles.