The development of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from normal human and RDEB epidermal keratinocytes

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of hereditary skin diseases characterized by widespread blister formation from birth. The recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) subtype is caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene, which encodes type VII collagen, the main protein that forms anchoring fibrils beneath the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) [1–3]. There are no established therapies, only symptomatic treatments; therefore, extensive research has been conducted in search of effective treatments. Candidates for fundamental treatments are cell-based therapies, including allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies, as reported by several groups [4–6].