Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine for Burn Wounds

Burn wounds are a significant clinical challenge, especially in severe cases where conventional treatments may not effectively promote healing or restore tissue functionality. Recent advancements in cell therapy and regenerative medicine offer innovative approaches to enhance wound healing, minimize scarring, and improve long-term outcomes for burn patients. This article examines various cell-based and bioengineered therapies, detailing their mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, and current challenges in clinical application. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has emerged as a promising approach for burn care. MSCs are multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiating into various cell types, including osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, which contribute to tissue repair. Their regenerative potential is largely due to their paracrine activity, whereby MSCs release cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that modulate immune responses, enhance angiogenesis, and stimulate tissue regeneration. MSCs derived from sources like bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood have shown efficacy in animal models of burn injuries, demonstrating reductions in inflammation, faster wound closure, and improved skin quality. However, clinical application remains challenged by concerns about cell sourcing, immunogenicity, scalability, and potential tumorigenic risks, requiring further study and regulatory scrutiny. Bioengineered skin substitutes are another major advancement, combining cell-based therapies with scaffold materials that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote healing. These substitutes typically embed keratinocytes and fibroblasts within a supportive, biocompatible matrix, providing both cellular components and structural support to the wound bed. Bioengineered skin substitutes range from temporary coverings that facilitate wound healing to full-thickness grafts offering more permanent solutions. Studies have shown that these substitutes improve wound closure rates, reduce infection risks, and minimize scarring compared to traditional autografts. Despite their benefits, high production costs, limited availability, and challenges in replicating the complex architecture of human skin remain barriers to widespread use. The controlled delivery of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), is increasingly recognized as essential in modulating cellular activity at the wound site. These growth factors play a critical role in angiogenesis and cellular proliferation. However, direct application faces limitations due to rapid degradation and limited tissue penetration. New strategies, including the use of gene therapy vectors, hydrogels, and nanoparticle carriers, improve local bioavailability and prolong the action of growth factors, resulting

کلیدواژه ها:

Cell Therapy ، Regenerative Medicine ، Burn Wounds ، Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy ، Bioengineered Skin Substitutes ، Growth Factors