Chronic injuries, especially those caused by diabetes, are notoriously difficult to heal. These injuries are characterized by prolonged inflammation, alteration of collagen production and poor regeneration of tissues. Traditional treatments such as the application of the growth factor or cell therapy is faced with efficiency and retention limits. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in mechanical strategies to optimize therapies on stem cells for wound healing. Given these challenges, there is a critical need for in -depth research on how mechanical indices can be used to improve the functionality of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSC) in wound regeneration.
A new study (DOI: 10.1093 / Burnst / Tkaf022) published in Burns and trauma By researchers from the Air Force Medical University have shown that mechanical stretching considerably improves the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSC) for the healing of diabetic wounds. The team explored the impact of mechanical stretch parameters on BMSC activity, revealing that specific mechanical indices optimize the proliferation of stem cells, ECM secretion and paracrine signage. This breakthrough provides new information on the advanced therapies of stem cells for chronic wound treatment.
The researchers used a tailor -made mechanical stretching device to apply controlled mechanical forces to BMSC cultivated on flexcell plates. The optimized parameters (deformation 15%, cycles 1440 and deformation duration of 5 seconds) have considerably improved the proliferation BMSC, the maintenance of the rod and the secretion of ECM, including the types of collagen I and III, the VEGF and the TGF-β. Mechanical stretching has not only favored the formation of BMSC cellular sheets more robust mechanically, but also improved cellular activities such as migration and adhesion, crucial for wound healing. In vivo tests on diabetic rats have shown that BMSC cell sheets subjected to mechanical stretching facilitated the closing of faster wounds and improved neovascularization compared to unrealized and not stretched groups of cellular leaves. Histological analyzes have revealed an improvement in the collagen deposit and the organization of wounds tissues, more supporting the effectiveness of the approach.
According to Dr. Yuqian Li, one of the main researchers, ” This study highlights how mechanical stretching can refine the behavior of stem cells, promoting the healing of wounds faster by improving cellular and para criteria. The results suggest that mechanical stretching could be incorporated into stem cell therapies to improve clinical results for patients with diabetic wounds.«
The results of this study have deep implications for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. The ability to improve BMSC therapeutic potential through mechanical stretches provides a new approach to regenerative medicine. By optimizing cellular sheets for better mechanical properties and biological activity, this strategy could be developed in a bioactive dressing which accelerates healing and reduces health costs associated with prolonged treatment. Other studies are necessary to refine technology and assess its clinical viability.
