The primary function of the skin is that of a physical barrier against the environment and diverse pathogens; therefore, its integrity is essential for survival. Skin regeneration depends on multiple stem cell compartments within the epidermis, which, despite their different transcriptional and proliferative capacity, as well as different anatomical location, fall under the general term of skin stem cells (SSCs). Skin wounds can normally heal without problem; however, some diseases or extensive damage may delay or prevent healing. Non-healing wounds represent a serious and life-threatening scenario that may require advanced therapeutic strategies. In this regard, increased focus has been directed at SSCs and their role in wound healing, although emerging therapeutical approaches are considering the use of other stem cells instead, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Given its extensive and broad nature, this review supplies newcomers with an introduction to SSCs, wound healing, and therapeutic strategies for skin regeneration, thus familiarizing the reader with the subject in preparation for future in depth reading.

Biomedical Research Center University Hospital Hradec Králové Sokolská 581 500 05 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové Charles University Prague Šimkova 870 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Radiobiology Faculty of Military Health Sciences in Hradec Králové University of Defense Třebešská 1575 500 01 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Molecular Medicine Laboratory Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas Zacatecas 98160 Mexico

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