A pilot study comparing the efficacy of autologous cultured fibroblast injections with hyaluronic acid fillers for treating nasolabial folds

Skin Rejuvenation Using Autologous Cultured Fibroblast Grafting

BACKGROUND

Recently, autologous cultured fibroblast and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies have been attempted for skin rejuvenation. Unlike PRP, grafted fibroblasts not only produce connective tissue but also influence the surrounding environment through a paracrine effect. Fibroblast-derived cytokines interact with and are modulated by neighboring tissue-constituting cells. In this study, we aimed to perform autologous fibroblast therapy and examine its effectiveness for skin rejuvenation through patient and doctor evaluations.

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients (5 males and 83 females) were followed up three months after grafting. All cases had a chief complaint of age-related skin atrophy. 1x108 cells of autologous cultured dermal fibroblasts were administered to each face. The patient and doctors evaluated the treatment's effects at one and three months.

RESULTS

One-month post-treatment, 60.3% of the patients rated the treatment as effective, while the doctors evaluated 79.5% as effective. Due to these findings, we assessed the efficacy of the eighty-eight patients at three months by the last observation carried forward (LOCF). The results showed that 75% and 92%, respectively, had effective patient and doctor assessments. The effects of fibroblast treatment were more effective after three months.

CONCLUSION

Fibroblast grafting was more effective at three months than one month and was extremely effective in improving skin texture, such as sagging, firmness, and wrinkles, without the symptoms of large depressions. There was a natural improvement more than hyaluronic acid injection.

A comprehensive evaluation of dermal fibroblast therapy in clinical trials for treating skin disorders and cosmetic applications: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Fibroblast cells have the ability to improve skin conditions through regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. The purpose of this scoping review is to assess the contribution of fibroblast cells to skin homeostasis and extracellular matrix deposition in clinical trials involving skin disorders and cosmetic applications.

METHODS

Using targeted search terms, published publications from January 2000 to August 2023 that addressed fibroblast uses in clinical trials of skin conditions were obtained from bibliographic databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS). Precise inclusion and exclusion criteria were used during the screening process. The potential benefits of induction treatment with fibroblasts lead to the choosing of clinical trials for this kind of treatment.

RESULTS

Out of the 820 published ppapers initially identified, only 35 studies fulfilled our meticulous eligibility criteria after careful screening. To ensure clarity, we methodically eliminated any duplicate or irrelevant published papers, thereby offering a transparent account of our selection process.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the advantages of fibroblast therapy in treating skin conditions such as diabetic foot, venous leg ulcers, and cosmetic reasons. Fibroblasts possess remarkable regenerating capabilities, making dermal fibroblast therapy crucial in cell-based and skin regenerative treatments. Nevertheless, additional research is required for more disorders and cosmetic applications.

Fibroblast function recovery through rejuvenation effect of nanovesicles extracted from human adipose-derived stem cells irradiated with red light

Fibroblasts (hDFs) are widely employed for skin regeneration and the treatment of various skin disorders, yet research were rarely investigated about restoration of diminished therapeutic efficacy due to cell senescence. The application of stem cell and stem cell-derived materials, exosomes, were drawn attention for the restoration functionality of fibroblasts, but still have limitation for unintended side effect or low yield. To advance, stem cell-derived nanovesicle (NV) have developed for effective therapeutic reagents with high yield and low risk. In this study, we have developed a method using red light irradiated human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) derived NV (R-NVs) for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and rejuvenating hDFs. Through red light irradiation, we were able to significantly increase the content of stemness factors and angiogenic biomolecules in R-NVs. Treatment with these R-NVs was found to enhance the migration ability and leading to rejuvenation of old hDFs to levels similar to those of young hDFs. In subsequent in vivo experiments, the treatment of old hDFs with R-NVs demonstrated a superior skin wound healing effect, surpassing that of young hDFs. In summary, this study successfully induced rejuvenation and leading to increased therapeutic efficacy to R-NVs treated old hDFs previously considered as biowaste.