Skin wounds often repair themselves completely over time; however, this is true only for healthy individuals. Although various studies are being conducted to improve wound-healing therapy outcomes, the mechanisms of wound healing and regeneration are not completely understood yet. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to contribute significantly to wound healing and regeneration. Understanding the function of MSCs will help to elucidate the fundamentals of wound healing. MSCs are multipotent stem cells that are used in regenerative medicine for their ability to self-renew and differentiate into bone, fat, and cartilage, with few ethical problems associated with cell harvesting. Additionally, they have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and antifibrotic effects via paracrine signaling, and many studies have been conducted to use them to treat graft-versus-host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and intractable cutaneous wounds. Many substances derived from MSCs are involved in the wound-healing process, and specific cascades and pathways have been elucidated. This review aims to explain the fundamental role of MSCs in wound healing and the effects of MSCs on fibroblasts.
Keywords: exosome; fibroblast; mesenchymal stem cell; regenerative medicine; wound healing.