Research Summary
The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves a wide range of functions. Within the skin's compartments, including the epidermis and hair follicles, reside stem cells that are essential for skin homeostasis and regeneration. These stem cells also play a key role in wound repair, helping restore the integrity and function of damaged tissue. However, when the wound healing process is unsuccessful, it can result in non-healing wounds. Chronic wounds, in particular, are often the result of stem cell depletion, along with a variety of other cellular and molecular mechanisms, many of which remain poorly understood.
Current therapies for chronic wounds are limited, prompting ongoing research to develop better therapeutic strategies. Adult stem cells are increasingly being recognized as potential candidates for treating various skin pathologies. In this review, we will discuss the role of epidermal and other stem cells present in the skin, and highlight some therapeutic applications of these stem cells, particularly in the context of cell/scaffold-based therapies for non-healing wounds and other skin disorders.
We will also explore emerging concepts and provide perspectives on how skin tissue-engineered products can be optimized to deliver more effective treatments for cutaneous repair and regeneration.
Keywords: skin; epidermis; stem cells; wound healing; chronic wounds
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