Cell therapy for wound healing

J Korean Med Sci. 2014 Mar;29(3):311-9. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.3.311. Epub 2014 Feb 27.

Abstract

In covering wounds, efforts should include utilization of the safest and least invasive methods with goals of achieving optimal functional and cosmetic outcome. The recent development of advanced wound healing technology has triggered the use of cells to improve wound healing conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide information on clinically available cell-based treatment options for healing of acute and chronic wounds. Compared with a variety of conventional methods, such as skin grafts and local flaps, the cell therapy technique is simple, less time-consuming, and reduces the surgical burden for patients in the repair of acute wounds. Cell therapy has also been developed for chronic wound healing. By transplanting cells with an excellent wound healing capacity profile to chronic wounds, in which wound healing cannot be achieved successfully, attempts are made to convert the wound bed into the environment where maximum wound healing can be achieved. Fibroblasts, keratinocytes, adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells, bone marrow stem cells, and platelets have been used for wound healing in clinical practice. Some formulations are commercially available. To establish the cell therapy as a standard treatment, however, further research is needed.

Keywords: Cell-and Tissue-based Therapy; Tissue Engineering; Wounds and Injuries.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Keratinocytes / transplantation
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / transplantation
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Ulcer / etiology
  • Ulcer / therapy
  • Wound Healing*