The effects of stem cells on burn wounds

Background and Aim : Stem cells are of special interest in burn wounds, as different stem cells can be effec- tive on different wound beds At present patients with a significant burn injury are being treated using traditional debridement and grafting with or without the use of skin substitutes, allograft or cultured epi- thelial auto-grafts. However surgeons are collaborating more than ever aiming to incorporate stem cells as a more efficacious treatment option to the current sur- gical management paradigmMethods : A Pubmed search was utilized to identify avail- able literature up to and including 2017. The topic of stem cells and burn wound healing were explored to identify any concep- tual significant issues. Subsequent to this, a search strategy was devised using several key terms; adipose derived stem cells , mesen- chymal stem cells and burn wounds heal- ing . Employing these key search criteria a bib- liographic search was performed on pubmed only. Additional search criteria included regen- erative medicine and tissue engineering . Search criteria were restricted to the English language, but acceptable English translations were sought for inclusion. Inclusion dates were from 2003 up until and including 2017. Results : . Studies included looked at stem cells in burn wounds only. Results: There were 692 potentially suitable publications of which 72 were included for review. These included a systematic reviews and original research ar- ticles. Conclusions: Stem cells accelerate burn wound healing by inducing neo-angiogenesis, collagen deposition and granulation tissue formation. They modulate the inflammatory response and reduce the risk of infection. They can regenerate skin appendages and halt he zone of stasis in acute burn injury. However with these pre-clinical animal model studies we must be cautious with our interpretation of this novel therapy. Conclusion : Stem cells accelerate wound healing via a com- plex series of pathways that seek to promote neo-angiogenesis, collagen deposition and granulation tissue formation. They alter our immune response by decreasing the severity of the inflammatory cascade. This may decrease the risk of infection. Stem cells are key in regeneration of cutaneous appendages such as hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands, which would improve aesthetic out- comes for patients.

Keywords:

Burns , wounds , stem cells , regenerative medicine , tissue engineering