The role of biologically active peptides in tissue repair using umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

The role of bioactive compounds in wound repair is critical. The preliminary work described herein includes the study of the effects of second degree burns in a Rex rabbit model and the action of human umbilical cord cells on the regulation and secretion of bioactive compounds. When applied on blood scaffolds as heterograft matrices, fibroblasts proliferate from these primary cultures and release biologically active peptides under tight control. Our work in progress indicates that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated therapy provides better quality and more efficient burn reepithelialization of injured tissues by controlling the release of these peptides. Improvement of wound aesthetics is achieved in less time than without MSC-mediated therapy. Well-organized epidermal regeneration and overall better quality of reepithelialization, with no rejection, can be demonstrated consistently with periodic biopsies. Our studies indicate that MSCs have the capacity to produce, regulate, and deliver biologically active peptides that result in superior regeneration, compared with conventional treatments.
(© 2012 New York Academy of Sciences.)