Effect of Transplantation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts on Collagen Synthesis

Choi, Won Il; Han, Seung Kyu; Lee, Byung Il; Kim, Woo Kyung

Abstract

PURPOSE: In the previous in vitro studies the bone marrow stromal cells(BSCs) have shown the superior effect for wound healing activity than fibroblasts, which includes cell proliferation, type I collagen synthesis, and the production of bFGF, VEGF and TGF-beta in chronic wound healing. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of BSCs and fibroblasts on wound healing activity in vivo, especially on collagen synthesis.
METHODS
The fibroblasts and BSCs were harvested from patients and cultured. The cultured cells were infiltrated into the pores of polyethylene discs. These discs were divided into three groups according to the mixed cells. In groups I, II and III the discs were loaded with no cells, fibroblasts and BSCs, respectively. Twelve discs per group(total 36 discs) were made for this study. After creating 6 pockets in the back of each rats, each discs was implanted into each pockets. At three time intervals from 1 to 3 weeks, the implanted discs were harvested for the histological and quantitative analysis. The amount of collagen produced was evaluated using ELISA. Statistical comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
RESULTS
There was great difference in the collagen synthesis among the three groups by the 1st and 2nd weeks. The BSC group showed highest collagen level, followed by fibroblast group and no cell group(p<0.05). The 3rd week specimens also showed greater collagen amount in BSC and fibroblast groups compared to those of no cell group(p<0.05). However, there was little difference between BSC and fibroblast groups.
CONCLUSION
This result demonstrates that BSC has superior effect on stimulating wound healing than fibroblast, which is currently used for wound healing.