Abstract
Background: A variety of stem cells have captured the attention of the scientific community and lay press. Collectively, these cells have great potential for the repair and regeneration of a variety of tissues. Wound healing has been a primary focus for many recent studies.
The Problem: Chronic wounds represent a failure of the normal mechanisms involved in healing. Even when wounds do heal, the healed area has significant alteration of the normal anatomy predisposing the area to rewounding.
Basic/Clinical Science Advances: Stem and progenitor cells have been shown to reside locally within the skin and traffic to the skin from distant sites, particularly in response to injury. Recent studies have attempted to identify the function of these cells and how they participate in the healing process.
Clinical Care Relevance: The use of bone marrow derived stern and progenitor cells has shown promise in laboratory wound models and in the treatment of recalcitrant chronic wounds in patients.
Conclusion: Adult stem and progenitor cells derived from skin, bone marrow, and other tissues hold great promise for wound healing and tissue regeneration with return of normal function.
