Abstract
The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that hypertrophic burn scars can be remodeled by fractional laser treatment andadministration of stem cells. Finding the best ways to combine these approaches is a goal of this proposal. During the period of this reportwe have been completing an examination of the effect of administering autologous and allogeneic bone marrow derived mesechymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) to hypertrophic third degree burn scars in Red Duroc pigs using ablative fractional CO2 or Erbium:YAG lasers. Epidermal and superficial dermal remodeling was noted to varying degrees in specimens treated with BM-MSCs and ADSCs by both lasers. Further Western blot, cell culture and Real Time PCR analysis along with additional studies performed on uninjured skin have indicated that: i) CO2 laser can have a more tissue damaging effect than Erbium:YAG laser, ii) autologous stem cells appear to generate a less fibrotic response, iii) cells derived from autologous stem cell treated burns have a more immature phenotype, iv) collagen indicative of dermal remodeling may be more persistent when burns are treated with autologous BM-MSCs, and v) cells derived from stem cell treated burns appear to peak 14 Days after treatment and taper significantly beyond 21 Days after treatment. Overall, these findings indicate that Erbium:YAG and perhaps autologous stem cells may have and advantage in treating hypertrophic burn scars. They also suggest that repeat administration is likely to be beneficial, again favoring the use of autologous cells.