Wound tissue can utilize a polymeric template to synthesize a functional extension of skin.
Prompt and long-term closure of full-thickness skin wounds is guinea pigs and humans is achieved by applying a bilayer polymeric membrane. The membrane comprises a top layer of a silicone elastomer and a bottom layer of a porous cross-linked network of collagen and glycosaminoglycan. The bottom layer can be seeded with a small number of autologous basal cells before grafting. No immunosuppression is used and infection, exudation, and rejection are absent. Host tissue utilizes the sterile membrane as a culture medium to synthesize neoepidermal and neodermal tissue. A functional extension of skin over the entire wound area is formed in about 4 weeks.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014945:Wound Healing
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D003094:Collagen