Dermal fibroblasts do not enhance the graft take rate of autologous, cultured keratinocyte suspension on full-thickness wounds in rats

Dermal fibroblasts are known to play an important role in wound healing. In this study, cultured autologous keratinocyte suspension was applied with f ibrin glue to the full-thickness wounds in rats (N = 20), Histological anal ysis on day 14 showed regenerated epithelium in 10 wounds (50%). Keratinocy tes were also premixed with allogeneic dermal fibroblasts in a ratio of 3:1 and 5:1 before application to other full-thickness wounds (N = 20) with fi brin glue. Regeneration of epithelium was observed in 10 (50%) and 9 (45%) wounds respectively. Acute inflammatory reaction and mild to moderate proli feration of fibroblasts in the subepithelial layer of the allogeneic fibrob lasts were noted. The addition of dermal fibroblasts to keratinocytes/fibri n glue does not enhance the take rate of the cultured keratinocyte suspensi on.