Comparing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from dermis discarded in elective surgeries: Identifying optimal sources for regenerative medicine

The dermis is a valuable and accessible source of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), particularly for applications in skin wound healing. Dermal MSCs (DSCs) can be isolated from skin fragments typically discarded during routine elective surgeries, such as facelifts (rhytidectomies), tummy tucks (abdominoplasties), and circumcisions (postectomies). While MSCs generally share core stem cell properties, their behavior may be influenced by factors such as donor age, sex, and the anatomical tissue origin. Understanding the specific characteristics of DSCs from different sources is therefore crucial for identifying the most suitable cells for clinical use. In this study, we compared human DSCs obtained from rhytidectomies (postmenopausal facial dermis), abdominoplasties (adult abdominal dermis), and postectomies (prepubertal foreskin dermis) by assessing their isolation efficiency, stemness markers, proliferative capacity, and in vitro wound healing. All three DSC populations exhibited comparable stemness profiles; however, DSCs from prepubertal foreskin demonstrated superior isolation yield, expansion potential, and colony-forming efficiency, likely reflecting the younger age of the tissue donors. Despite these differences, DSCs from both prepubertal foreskin and adult abdominal skin exhibited similar wound healing performance in vitro. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the source of dermal tissue significantly influences DSC behavior in vitro, with cells derived from postectomies and abdominoplasties showing enhanced potential compared to those from rhytidectomies.