Vascularization of Skin Substitute Constructed by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 165 Gene-Modified Hair Follicle Stem Cells Compounded with Three-Dimensional Gelatin-Chondroitin Sulfate-Hyaluronic Acid

The study aimed to evaluate the angiogenic effects of a three-dimensional gelatin-chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronic acid (Gel-C6S-HA) scaffold seeded with VEGF165 gene-modified hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) on skin wounds. Eighteen rats with full-thickness skin defects were divided into four groups, with Group A receiving the VEGF165-modified HFSCs/Gel-C6S-HA scaffold, Group B receiving empty-vector HFSCs/Gel-C6S-HA scaffold, Group C receiving only the scaffold, and Group D treated with vaseline gauze. Observations at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery showed that Group A had faster wound healing and scaffold degradation, as well as significantly higher microvessel density (MVD) compared to the other groups, indicating more new blood vessel growth. The study concluded that the VEGF165-modified HFSCs compounded with the Gel-C6S-HA scaffold significantly promoted angiogenesis and wound healing, suggesting its potential as a skin substitute in clinical applications.