Genetically manipulated adult stem cells for wound healing

New knowledge of the signal controls and activities of adult stem cells (ASCs) involved in wound repair have led to extensive investigation of the topical delivery of biomacromolecules and multipotent stem cells to injured tissues for scar-less regeneration. The transplantation of genetically recombinant stem cells, which have roles as both therapeutics and carriers for gene delivery to wound sites, represents an attractive strategy for wound treatment. Here, we compare viral and non-viral vectors and three-dimensional scaffold-based transfection strategies in terms of their biosafety, recombinant efficiency and influence on the differentiation of ASCs, to indicate the future direction of the application of recombinant ASCs in wound treatment.