Deficiencies in repair cells and
infection are two of the main factors that can hinder the process of wound healing. In the present study, we investigated the ability of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD2) genetically modified dermal multipotent stem cells (dMSCs) to accelerate the healing irradiated
wounds complicated by
infections. An hBD2 adenovirus expression vector (Adv-hBD2) was firstly constructed and used to infect dMSCs. The antibacterial activity of the supernatant was determined by Kirby-Bauer method and macrodilution broth assay. Time to complete wound healing, residual percentage of
wound area, and the number of bacteria under the
scar were measured to assess the effects of Adv-hBD2-infected
dMSC transplantation on the healing of irradiated
wounds complicated by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Results showed that the supernatant from Adv-hBD2-infected dMSCs had obvious antibacterial effects.
Transplantation of Adv-hBD2-infected dMSCs killed bacteria in the
wound. The complete wound healing time was 19.8 ± 0.45 days, which was significantly shorter than in the control groups (P < 0.05). From 14 days after
transplantation, the residual
wound area was smaller in the experimental group than in the control groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that
transplantation of hBD2 genetically modified dMSCs accelerated the healing of
wounds complicated by P. aeruginosa
infection in whole body irradiated rats.