Histological and immunohistochemical study on the role of mesenchymal stem cells in the repair of experimentally induced skin burn in adult male albino rat

Introduction: Patients having full thickness skin burns are difficult to treat and usually need special care and long hospitalization. Many complications are associated with the burn wounds such as infection and scars. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a novel therapeutic alternative to accelerate and improve the healing process. Mesenchymal stem cells have properties that favor their use as therapeutic alternative as they stimulate regeneration, promote angiogenesis, and have an immunomodulatory function. Aim: The present study aimed to study the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in improving the healing of burns. Material and methods: Forty male albino rats weighed 200gm were divided into 4 groups, 5 animals in group I (control) and group II (burn model), 15 animals in group III (untreated) and group IV (MSCs treated). Group III and IV were subdivided into 3 subgroups that were sacrificed after 7, 14 and 21 days respectively. Full thickness burn wounds were induced on a 4 cm2 area on the back of rats in groups II, III and IV by subjecting to 90 °C hot water for 12 seconds. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the bone marrow of 5 young rats, weighed 100 gm, expanded in vitro, PKH26 labeled and intra-dermally injected in the periphery of burn wounds.