Application of an in vitro model to evaluate bioadhesion of fibroblasts and epithelial cells to two different dressings

The cellular component of a healing wound consists of many cell types and t he environment in which these cells grow is important to the rate and quali ty of healing which can be influenced by the type of dressing used. The mos t commonly used dressings are traditional gauze-type dressings. In many cas es these dressings may adhere to the wound surface, and subsequent removal is often traumatic, causing pain and tissue reinjury. Some modern Selling d ressings have been developed to overcome this adherence problem. In order t o evaluate in more detail cell-dressing interactions, an in vitro model has been developed utilising wound fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Quantitat ive evaluation of adherence of cells cultured with a traditional gauze or a new gelling dressing has been undertaken using radiolabel and manual count ing techniques. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to visualise the cells adherent to dressings allowing evaluation of their adhesion-morpholo gy. The results show differential attachment of cells to viscose and gellin g fibres of the dressings; considerably reduced cell adhesion to the gellin g fibre was evident, and it was apparent that cells adhered predominantly t o the viscose component of the dressing. This model can be used to investig ate and compare the adhesion of cells to different dressings and their comp onents. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.