Cutaneous stem cells and wound healing

Abstract

In the last two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the understanding of stem cell biology, including the field of cutaneous stem cells. Extensive stem cell research and potential clinical applications have provided new perspectives in the use of stem cells in the treatment of human skin disorders such as severe bums and wounds, as well as skin cancer and alopecia. Adult, tissue-specific stem cells are required for tissue homeostasis as well as for the ability to respond to insults such as during wound healing. Fetal wounds can heal rapidly without scars, while in adults wound healing decreases with aging, and this likely represents changes in the functional status of stem cells. In this review, we summarize the main characteristics of cutaneous stem cells in general and present the most recent knowledge in our understanding of these stem cells. We also address the difference in tissue regeneration between fetal and adult tissues in the aspect of stem cell biology. Copyright © 2006 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.