SCF Increases In Utero-Labeled Stem Cells Migration And Improves Wound Healing

The study investigated the role of stem cell factor (SCF) in improving wound healing in diabetic skin wounds, which are a major complication of diabetes. The researchers hypothesized that SCF could enhance healing by promoting stem cell migration. Their findings showed that SCF improved wound closure in diabetic mice and increased the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, which are important for wound healing. SCF treatment also facilitated the migration of a unique population of red fluorescent protein (RFP)-labeled skin stem cells, distinct from known hair follicle stem cells, into the epidermis. These results suggested that SCF could be a promising treatment for enhancing diabetic wound healing by recruiting specific stem cells in the skin.