In vitro characterization of an artificial dermal scaffold

The treatment of extensive burn injuries has been enhanced by the developme nt of artificial skin substitutes. Integra(R) Artificial Skin, an acellular collagen-glycosaminoglycan (C-GAG) dermal equivalent requires a two-stage grafting procedure. However, preseeding the C-GAG dermal equivalent with cu ltured fibroblasts and keratinocytes, with the aim of performing a single-s tage grafting procedure, may be beneficial in terms of replacing the requir ement for traditional split-skin grafts. In this comparative in vitro study , the interactions of cultured human dermal fibroblasts and epidermal kerat inocytes in Integra(R) Artificial Skin in comparison to cadaver deepidermal ized dermis (DED) was investigated. An increase in cell proliferation and m igration in the C-GAG dermal equivalent was observed over time. Cocultures of fibroblasts and keratinocytes on both dermal equivalents showed positive expression of proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix (EC M) protein markers. Organization of keratinocytes in the epidermal layers o f DED composites were better compared to the C-GAG composites. Deposition o f ECM proteins was enhanced in the presence of keratinocytes in both dermal equivalents. Results demonstrate that in vitro the C-GAG dermal equivalent is biocompatible for cell attachment, migration, proliferation, and differ entiation. Preseeding Integra(R) Artificial Skin with cultured autologous f ibroblasts and keratinocytes for in vivo application, as a single-stage gra fting procedure, warrants testing. A better clinical outcome may be achieve d as shown by our in vitro results of the coculture composites.