A review discusses the multifactorial nature of skin aging and evaluates the potential therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs).
Skin aging arises from both intrinsic (genetic, metabolic) and extrinsic (UV radiation, pollution) factors, leading to diminished elasticity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory changes. With growing interest in therapies that promote skin health, MSCs have gained attention for their regenerative properties.
It synthesizes current evidence from preclinical and clinical studies showing that MSCs may contribute to skin regeneration through various mechanisms, including:
- Paracrine signaling, where MSCs influence nearby cells without direct integration,
- Extracellular vesicle (EV) release, including exosomes that carry bioactive molecules,
- Direct cellular differentiation, potentially supporting tissue repair.
These functions are associated with improvements in skin elasticity, reduction in oxidative damage, and modulation of inflammatory responses in some studies. Beyond whole-cell therapies, emerging bioengineering approaches—such as MSC-derived exosomes, secretome, conditioned media, and EVs—are also being explored for therapeutic use.
The authors emphasize the need for standardized procedures and larger, well-designed clinical studies to better evaluate safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes. As such, MSC-based therapies for skin aging remain a promising but still developing area of regenerative medicine.
This review contributes to an evidence-based understanding of how MSCs might influence the future landscape of dermatological and anti-aging interventions—while also underlining the importance of cautious interpretation and continued research.
