title: The Role of Stem Cells in Wound Angiogenesis.
abstract: Significance:Revascularization plays a critical role in wound healing and is regulated by a complex milieu of growth factors and cytokines. Deficiencies in revascularization contribute to the development of chronic nonhealing wounds.Recent Advances:Stem-cell-based therapy provides a novel strategy to enhance angiogenesis and improve wound healing. With bioethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells, focus has shifted to different populations of vascular precursors, isolated from adult somatic tissue. Three main populations have been identified: endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced-pluripotent stem cells. These populations demonstrate great promise to positively influence neovascularization and wound repair.Critical Issues:Further studies to more definitively define each population are necessary to efficiently translate stem-cell-based therapeutic angiogenesis to the bedside. Better understanding of the physiologic pathways of how stem cells contribute to angiogenesis in normal tissue repair will help identify targets for successful therapeutic angiogenesis.Future Directions:Active studies in both animal models and clinical trials are being conducted to develop effective delivery routes, including dosing, route, and timing. Stem-cell-based therapy holds significant potential as a strategy for therapeutic angiogenesis in the care of patients with chronic nonhealing wounds.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Regenerative Wound Healing, Division of Pediatric, General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Regenerative Wound Healing, Division of Pediatric, General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Swathi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Regenerative Wound Healing, Division of Pediatric, General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Sundeep G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Keswani
authors.affiliation: Center for Children's Surgery, Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, School of Medicine, University of Colorado , Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Crombleholme