Effect of human bone marrow stromal cell allograft on proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts in vitro

In previous pilot studies, the authors reported that bone marrow stromal cells (BSCs) have a superior effect on healing of acute wounds compared with fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. The present study was designed to compare the effect of allograft of normal BSCs with that of normal fibroblasts on the activity of diabetic fibroblasts in vitro. Diabetic fibroblasts were cultured in 24-well culture plates. Three groups were evaluated: group I, diabetic fibroblasts only; group II, diabetic fibroblasts co-cultured with normal fibroblasts; group III, diabetic fibroblasts co-cultured with normal BSCs. After 3-day incubation, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, which are the major contributing factors in wound healing, were measured. Group III showed the highest level in both cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, followed by group II and group I (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that BSCs are superior to fibroblasts in stimulating the activity of diabetic fibroblasts.