VeritaCell-Derived Autologous Skin Cell Suspensions Enhance Wound Closure Dynamics and Tissue Architecture in a Rat Excisional Wound Model

Background/Objectives: Autologous cell suspension (ACS)-based therapy is a promising strategy to enhance wound healing, yet limitations in current methodologies hinder clinical efficacy. We have previously developed VeritaCell, a rapid isolation method that yields highly viable skin cell populations, including epidermal stem cells, and demonstrated their wound healing-enhancing biological properties in vitro (such as acceleration of keratinocyte proliferation and suppression of scarring-associated molecular responses). In the present study, we have assessed the efficacy of VeritaCell-derived ACS cell populations in enhancing both the rate and quality of healing using an in vivo rat excisional wound model. Methods: Full-thickness wounds were treated with ACS at donor-to-wound area ratios of 1:1, 1:10, and 1:20. Wound progression was monitored by standardised image-based quantification of percentage wound closure and healing quality was evaluated by histological assessment of tissue architecture. Results: ACS-treated wounds demonstrated improved early healing dynamics, with enhanced wound closure evident by Day 6 across all ACS treatment groups. Histological assessment revealed improved neo-epithelial organisation and reduced scarring-associated epidermal thickening in the 1:10 and 1:20 groups, with the 1:10 group exhibiting tissue architecture most closely resembling unwounded skin. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings provide preclinical validation that ACS isolates generated using the VeritaCell methodology exhibit functional activity in vivo and support improved tissue-level repair at clinically relevant donor-to-wound coverage ratios. Our observations offer insights into the strong potential of our ACS approach in providing a practical and cost-effective medical solution that will facilitate more aesthetically favourable healing outcomes.