A dermal equivalent developed from adipose-derived stem cells and electrospun polycaprolactone matrix: an in vitro and in vivo study

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is used as a material of choice for surgical sutures, wound dressings, contraceptives, fixation devices and dentistry in paramedical sciences. In addition, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of electrospun PCL fibers on keratinocyte differentiation of ASCs and wound healing. PCL solution was electrospun and characterized. Isolated and characterized ASCs were differentiated into keratinocyte-like cells on a tissue culture plate (TCP) and PCL matrices and compared. PCL nano-/microfibers cultured with ASCs (test group) or alone (control) were implanted as a dermal substitute for wound healing. There were significant increases in the proliferation rate and expression level of cytokeratin 14 , filaggrin and involucrin in cells cultured on PCL matrices compared to TCP ( p