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The Dynamic Duo for Acid Burn Healing: Non-Cultured Autologous Skin Cells and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

. Muhammad Rauf Ahmed, Fatima Jaweria, Iffat, Aizazullah Shah, Abdullah Ahmad, Madiha Islam, Nabila Kauser, Tanveer A Q, Mohsin Shahzad, and Tariq Iqbal


Abstract

This study is aimed to investigate the regenerative potential of a mixture of non-cultured skin cells (fibroblasts, keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, and melanocytes) combined with ADMSCs (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) in rat models with acid burns. The non-cultured skin cells were obtained through enzymatic digestion and then transplanted (1 million cells) into the dermal layer of rat burn models (n=10), both with and without the addition of ADMSCs. Acid-inflicted burn wounds measuring approximately 2 cm2 were created on the rats' backs. Following transplantation, the healing capacity of the non-cultured skin cells with ADMSCs was evaluated through macroscopic analysis (photographs taken at different time intervals to assess wound closure percentage), histological examination (using H&E staining), and analysis of healing-related molecular markers. The results indicated that the combination of non-cultured cells with ADMSCs led to earlier and more effective recovery compared to the group treated with non-cultured cells alone. This combination therapy demonstrated faster wound closure, accelerated re-epithelization, formation of granulation tissue, increased collagen deposition, enhanced angiogenesis, and a significant reduction in the number of inflammatory cells. Additionally, the group receiving the combined therapy showed a noteworthy decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF alpha), an improvement in the oxidative marker (SOD1), and elevated levels of angiogenesis factors such as VEGF and HGF. Furthermore, markers associated with collagen production (collagen type 1 alpha 1, fibroblast growth factor-2, transforming growth factor beta 1) displayed marked improvement. Based on these findings, we propose that the combination of non-cultured skin cells with ADMSCs represents a superior treatment modality for achieving earlier healing and regeneration of the skin in partial thickness burn wounds

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