title: The use of human sweat gland-derived stem cells for enhancing vascularization during dermal regeneration.
abstract: Vascularization is a key process in tissue engineering and regeneration and represents one of the most important issues in the field of regenerative medicine. Thus, several strategies to improve vascularization are currently under clinical evaluation. In this study, stem cells derived from human sweat glands were isolated, characterized, seeded in collagen scaffolds, and engrafted in a mouse full skin defect model for dermal regeneration. Results showed that these cells exhibit high proliferation rates and express stem cell and differentiation markers. Moreover, cells responded to angiogenic environments by increasing their migration (P<0.001) and proliferation (P<0.05) capacity and forming capillary-like structures. After seeding in the scaffolds, cells distributed homogeneously, interacting directly with the scaffold, and released bioactive molecules involved in angiogenesis, immune response, and tissue remodeling. In vivo, scaffolds containing cells were used to induce dermal regeneration. Here we have found that the presence of the cells significantly improved vascularization (P<0.001). As autologous sweat gland-derived stem cells are easy to obtain, exhibit a good proliferation capacity, and improve vascularization during dermal regeneration, we suggest that the combined use of sweat gland-derived stem cells and scaffolds for dermal regeneration might improve dermal regeneration in future clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Research Institution for Marine Biotechnology, EMB, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danner
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: Anna Emilia
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Petschnik
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: Ziyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hopfner
authors.forename: Ann K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reckhenrich
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Thilo L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schenck
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Charli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Hans-Günther
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Machens
authors.forename: José T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Egaña
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen; D020405:Dermis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D023421:Models, Animal; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen