Objective　To study the function of RNA helicase p68 in the proliferation of dermal multipotent stem cells (DMSCs). 　Methods　The expression of p68 protein in DMSCs at different growth states and pre-treated with wound fluid was detected by immunocytochemical assay and Western blot analysis. After the down-regulation of p68 expression by sequence specific siRNA

the proliferation of DMSCs was evaluated by MTT assay. 　Results　p68 expression was higher in DMSCs of exponential growth than that of cells in contact inhibition. The wound fluid induced the p68 expression and proliferation of DMSCs. When p68 was down-regulated by siRNA

the proliferation of DMSCs was significantly inhibited. 　Conclusion　The expression of p68 in DMSCs is involved in the regulation of DMSCs proliferation

and the microenvironment of wound may play a crucial role in the initiation of proliferation of wound repair cells.