Novel ECM Patch Combines Poly(vinyl alcohol), Human Fibroblast-Derived Matrix, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Advanced Wound Healing

Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold has been a very useful resource for effective tissue regeneration. In this study, we report a novel ECM patch that physically combines human fibroblast-derived matrix (hFDM) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel. hFDM was obtained after decellularization of in vitro cultured human fibroblasts. We investigated the basic characteristics of hFDM alone using immunofluorescence (fibronectin, collagen type I) and angiogenesis-related factor analysis. Successful incorporation of hFDM with PVA produced an hFDM/PVA patch, which showed excellent cytocompatibility with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), as assessed via cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. Moreover, in vitro scratch assay using human dermal fibroblasts showed a significant improvement of cell migration when treated with the paracrine factors originated from the hMSC-incorporated hFDM. To evaluate the therapeutic effect on wound healing, hMSCs were seeded on the hFDM/PVA patch and they were then transplanted into a mouse full-thickness wound model. Among four experimental groups (control, PVA, hFDM/PVA, hMSC/hFDM/PVA), we found that hMSC/hFDM/PVA patch accelerated the wound closure with time. More notably, histology and immunofluorescence demonstrated that compared to the other interventions tested, hMSC/hFDM/PVA patch could lead to significantly advanced tissue regeneration, as confirmed via nearly normal epidermis thickness, skin adnexa regeneration (hair follicle), mature collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Additionally, cell tracking of prelabeled hMSCs suggests the in vivo retention of transplanted cells in the wound region after the transplantation of hMSC/hFDM/PVA patch. Taken together, our engineered ECM patch supports a strong regenerative potential toward advanced wound healing.