Transplantation of Genetically Modified Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells and Direct Gene Therapy in Skin Wound Regeneration in Rats

The study explored the combination of gene and stem cell therapy to enhance skin wound healing in rats by using human cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCB-MC) transfected with a plasmid encoding VEGF and FGF2. These genes are known for their pro-angiogenic properties. Results indicated that 2 weeks post-transplantation, some cells retained stem cell markers, while others integrated into various skin cell types. The transfected cells were found to terminate proliferative processes in the regenerating wound earlier than untransfected cells, suggesting a more efficient healing process.