Current trends in electrospun nanofibers combined with mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic foot ulcer repair and regenerative therapy

<h2>Summary</h2> Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and clinically challenging chronic complication of diabetes, characterized by impaired healing, recurrent infections, and high amputation risk. Traditional treatments show limited efficacy in promoting neurovascular regeneration and tissue repair. In the field of tissue engineering, both electrospun nanofiber scaffolds and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy have demonstrated considerable potential. Electrospun nanofibers closely imitate the structure and function of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, they can be functionally modified through directed strategies to incorporate antibacterial agents and various anti-inflammatory and pro-healing cytokines, thereby addressing multiple aspects of the DFU microenvironment. In contrast, MSCs play a crucial role in promoting wound healing owing to their paracrine signaling, immunomodulatory capabilities, and multidirectional differentiation potential. This review comprehensively summarizes the pathogenesis of DFU, the respective advantages of electrospun nanofibers and MSCs, and the latest research progress on their combined application for DFU treatment.