Abstract
Stem cells are used to treat chronic non-healing wounds. However, the seed cells required for optimal healing remain unknown. In this study, we evaluate the effects of fetal skin-derived stem cells (FSSCs) on a nude mice cutaneous wound model and compare them with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). Both stem cell types exhibit polygonal or spindle-like morphology and differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. FSSCs express CD90, CD44, CD73, and CD105, but not CD34, CD45, or CD14. Additionally, they display a lower expression of HLA-DR compared to ADSCs. In vitro, FSSCs have stronger proliferation, migration, and collagen secretion than ADSCs and promote tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which is crucial for wound healing. In vivo, FSSCs accelerate cutaneous wound healing in nude mice compared to ADSCs. Furthermore, after intervention with FSSCs, the expression of collagen and angiogenesis-related proteins (CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor) in the skin tissue significantly increased, and the secretion of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13) was regulated. Hence, FSSCs are more promising in accelerating wound healing and are closely related to their ability to promote fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen secretion, providing a novel treatment strategy for accelerating wound healing.