Objective: The current study aims to assess the molecular effects of keratinocytes derived from embryonic and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on wound healing in mice with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and methods: Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into 6 groups of 10. Following diabetes mellitus induction by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin, wounds were created and covered with gauze dipped in various solutions: isotonic saline, carrier and transfer medium-engineered dermal template, keratinocytes derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), keratinocytes differentiated from ADSCs, or ADSC medium alone. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemical alterations in the activities of cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 14, epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin 8 (IL-8), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and collagen I were compared among the 6 groups.
Results: Histopathological analysis revealed that wound healing was accelerated by application of keratinocytes derived from ESCs. Such cells increased the activities of cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 14. No significant among-group differences were noted in terms of IL-8, FGF-2, MCP-1, or collagen I production.
Conclusions: Keratinocytes derived from ESCs accelerated wound healing in mice with diabetes mellitus. The beneficial effects were evident both histomorphologically and immunohistochemically. Although keratinocytes derived from ADSCs are readily available, such cells did not accelerate wound healing.