Zhi‑cheng Yang1,3, He Lin1 , Guo‑jun Liu2 , Hui Pan1 , Jun‑lu Zhu3 , Xiao‑hong Zhang3 , Feng Gao2 , Zhong Wang2 and Zhi‑hao Wang1* *Correspondence: Zhi‑hao Wang 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。 1 Department of Geriatric Medicine & Laboratory of Gerontology and Anti‑Aging Research, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China 2 Shandong Qilu Stem Cell Engineering Co., Ltd, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China 3 School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China

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Abstract

Background Non-healing pressure ulcers impose heavy burdens on patients and clinicians. Cord blood mononu‑ clear cells (CB-MNCs) are a novel type of tissue repair seed cells. However, their clinical application is restricted by low retention and survival rates post-transplantation. This study aims to investigate the role of thermo-sensitive chitosan/ hydroxyethyl cellulose/glycerophosphate (CS/HEC/GP) hydrogel encapsulated CB-MNCs in pressure ulcer wound

Methods Pressure ulcers were induced on the backs of aged mice. After construction and validation of the charac‑ terization of thermo-sensitive CS/HEC/GP hydrogel, CB-MNCs are encapsulated in the hydrogel, called CB-MNCs@ CS/HEC/GP which was locally applied to the mouse wounds. Mouse skin tissues were harvested for histological and molecular biology analyses.

Results CB-MNCs@CS/HEC/GP therapy accelerated pressure ulcer wound healing, attenuated inflammatory responses, promoted cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Further investigation revealed that CB MNCs@CS/HEC/GP exerted therapeutic effects by promoting changes in cell types, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, keratinocytes, and smooth muscle cells.

Conclusion CB-MNCs@CS/HEC/GP enhanced the delivery efficiency of CB-MNCs, preserved the cell viability, and contributed to pressure ulcer wound healing. Thus, CB-MNCs@CS/HEC/GP represents a novel therapeutic approach for skin regeneration of chronic wounds.

Keywords Wound healing, Aged, Pressure ulcers, Cord blood mononuclear cells, Thermo-sensitive hydrogel