Nanostructured Scaffold, Combined with Human Dental Pulp Stem Cell Secretome, Induces Vascularization in Medicinal Leech Model

As life expectancy continues to increase, age-related disorders are becoming more prevalent. Among these, vascular complications resulting from chronic inflammation are particularly concerning, as they impair angiogenesis and hinder tissue repair, both processes that heavily rely on a well-structured extracellular matrix (ECM). In this context, MicroMatrix® UBM Particulate, a skin substitute composed of collagen, laminin, and proteoglycans, appears to offer properties conducive to tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of MicroMatrix® combined with the Secretome of human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSC-S), using the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana, a well-established model for studying wound healing, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Adult leeches were injected with MicroMatrix® either suspended in FBS-free medium (CTRL) or supplemented with hDPSC-S. 1-week post-treatment, the animals were sacrificed and subjected to morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Our findings revealed that MicroMatrix® successfully integrated into the leech body wall. Notably, when supplemented with hDPSC-S, there was a marked increase in cell infiltration, including telocytes and Hematopoietic Precursor Stem Cells, along with a significantly higher vessel density compared to CTRL. These results support the effectiveness of the cell-free device composed of MicroMatrix® and hDPSC-S, highlighting its potential as a promising strategy for regenerative therapies aimed at treating complex wounds with poor vascularization.