(F1328) SKIN PRECURSOR CELL DIFFERENTIATION FROM INDUCED PLUROPOTENT STEM CELLS AND APPLICATION OF SKIN PRECURSOR CELL-CONDITIONED MEDIUM IN SKIN BURNS: A PROMISING CANDIDATE FOR SKIN REGENERATION
Student Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea
Abstract: Skin, which consists of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, is the largest organ in the human body and protects the body from the external environment. The skin is exposed to potential damage, and burns are one of the leading causes of skin damage. According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, approximately 180,000 people die from burns worldwide every year and millions of patients suffer from physical and mental illnesses that last a lifetime. Severe burns are characterized by the destruction of the skin structure and the disappearance of progenitor cell populations, which are essential for regenerating and restoring structure and function. Recent studies suggest that skin precursor cells (SPCs) play a crucial role in regenerating damaged tissue by differentiating into keratinocytes and other essential cell types. SPCs contribute to re-epithelialization, modulate inflammatory responses, and enhance extracellular matrix remodeling. Understanding the mechanisms by which SPCs facilitate burn wound healing could lead to novel cell-based treatments to improve burn wound treatment. In this study, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were differentiated into SPCs, and their morphology and expression of specific gene markers were confirmed through qPCR and immunofluorescence analysis. The regenerative effects of skin precursor cell-conditioned media (SPC-CM) were subsequently evaluated. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes were treated with SPC-CM and confirmed expression specific gene markers by qPCR and immunofluorescence analysis. The wound healing assay confirmed how much wound closure accelerated in SPC-CM treated fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Since this acceleration ability can identify the potential to promote tissue repair, Burns were induced in the 3D skin model and the skin regeneration effect was evaluated by processing the SPC-CM. The effectiveness of SPC-CM was demonstrated through the expression of inflammation-specific markers and changes the TEER values of 3D skin burns model. These results indicate that SPC-CM can improve fibroblast-mediated matrix remodeling and keratinocyte adhesion, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for the development of therapeutic agents and cosmetic materials aimed at skin repair and regeneration.
Funding Source: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and ministries including Science and ICT, Trade, Industry and Energy, Health & Welfare, and Food and Drug Safety (RS-2023-KH142779, RS-2024-00512348).
