Objective To lay a foundation for the clinical application and tissue engineering research of hypertrophic scar (HS)-derived DMSCs by comparing the biological characteristics of dermis mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) from human maturing-phase HS and normal skin.Methods Twenty maturing-phase HS specimens (scar group) and 20 normal skin specimens (control group) were selected to extract and sort DMSCs by two-step enzyme digestion.When cells in both groups were subcultured to 3rd generation,cell morphology and growth curve were observed; expressions of cell surface proteins CD29,CD49 and vimentin were tested by immunocytochemistry; cells with positively expressed surface proteins CD34,CD73,CD90,and CD105 were examined by flow cytometry; expressions of genes Oct4 and Nanog were tested by RT-PCR; cell potential to differentiate into lipoblasts,osteoblasts,and chondroblasts was assayed in inductive medium.Results DMSCs in both groups showed similar shape and growth curve.Cell markers CD29,CD49 and vimentin expressed positively.Of scar and control groups,expressions of CD34,CD73,CD90,and CD105 were (0.60±0.03)％ vs (0.61 ±0.02)％,(98.90±0.80)％vs (99.00±0.70)％,(98.30±0.30)％vs (98.20±0.40)％,and (93.10± 0.40) ％ vs (93.00 ± 0.20) ％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05) ; expressions of genes Oct4 and Nanog were 0.506±0.024 vs0.512±0.024 and 0.496 ±0.018 vs 0.494 ±0.023 (P＞0.05).Both types of DMSCs were able to differentiate in vitro into lipoblasts,osteoblasts,and chondroblasts in invitro conductive medium.Conclusion DMSCs exist in maturing-phase HS and present biomechanical characteristics basically similar with those of normal human skin.