Transplantation of the LGR6+ epithelial stem cell into full-thickness cutaneous wounds results in enhanced healing, nascent hair follicle development, and augmentation of angiogenic analytes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The recently discovered leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 6 (LGR6+) epithelial stem cell located within the follicular bulge of the adnexal compartment is capable of producing all cellular lineages of the skin. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether these cells can be transplanted for use as a type of cellular therapy for the repair of full-thickness wounds in which the native stem cell niche has been obliterated.

METHODS:

Full-thickness murine skin was harvested and LGR6(+GFP) epithelial stem cells were isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. This enriched epithelial stem cell population was then transplanted by means of local injection into wound beds on the dorsum of nude mice. Viability, migration, healing, the development of nascent hair follicles, and gene and proteomic expression studies were performed to determine whether the engraftment of LGR6(+GFP) epithelial stem cells enhanced healing when compared with controls.

RESULTS:

Wound beds receiving LGR6(+GFP) epithelial stem cells showed enhanced healing; nascent follicle growth; and augmentation of the Wnt, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor pathways when compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

The LGR6+ epithelial stem cells appear to hold great promise for the development of a clinically useful stem cell–based therapy for the repair of full-thickness wounds and hair regeneration. These results indicate that transplantation of LGR6+ epithelial stem cells promotes epithelialization, hair growth, and angiogenesis in tissues destined for scar formation.

• Authors: Denver M Lough, Mei Yang, Anthony Blum, Joel D Reichensperger, Nicole M Cosenza, Nathan Wetter, Lisa A Cox, Carrie E Harrison, Michael W Neumeister
• Journal: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (Plast Reconstr Surg) Vol. 133 Issue 3 Pg. 579-590 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1529-4242 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24572851 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lgr6 protein, mouse
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

Topics

• Animals
• Burns (physiopathology, surgery)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Epithelial Cells (physiology)
• Hair Follicle (growth & development, physiopathology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Nude
• Neovascularization, Physiologic
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Skin (injuries, physiopathology)
• Stem Cell Transplantation
• Stem Cells (physiology)
• Wound Healing (physiology)