A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Mechanically regulated microcarriers with stem cell loading for skin photoaging therapy
Authors: Lin, Xiang; Filppula, Anne M.; Zhao, Yuanjin; Shang, Luoran; Zhang, Hongbo
Publisher: KeAi Communications
Publishing place: BEIJING
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Bioactive Materials
Journal name in source: BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Journal acronym: BIOACT MATER
Volume: 46
First page : 448
Last page: 456
Number of pages: 9
eISSN: 2452-199X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.12.024
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/478065208
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation compromises skin structural integrity and results in disruption of normal physiological functions. Stem cells have gained attention in anti-photoaging, while controlling the tissue mechanical microenvironment of cell delivery sites is crucial for regulating cell fate and achieving optimal therapeutic performances. Here, we introduce a mechanically regulated human recombinant collagen (RHC) microcarrier generated through microfluidics, which is capable of modulating stem cell differentiation to treat photoaged skin. By controlling the cross-linking parameters, the mechanical properties of microcarriers could precisely tuned to optimize the stem cell differentiation. The microcarriers are surface functionalized with fibronectin (Fn)-platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to facilitate adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) loading. In in vivo experiments, subcutaneous injection of stem cell loaded RHC microcarriers significantly reduced skin wrinkles after ultraviolet-injury, effectively promoted collagen synthesis, and increased vascular density. These encouraging results indicate that the present mechanically regulated microcarriers have great potential to deliver stem cells and regulate their differentiation for anti-photoaging treatments.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFA1105300), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52073060, 61927805 and 82400718), the Nanjing Medical Science and Technique Development Foundation (ZKX21019), the Clinical Trials from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (2022-LCYJ-ZD-01). This work was also supported by the Research Project (347897), Solution for Health Profile (336355), InFLAMES Flagship (337531), and "Printed Intelligence Infrastructure" (PII-FIRI)” from Research Council of Finland.
