Cultured epithelial autografts: diving from surgery into matrix biology.
Cultured epithelial autografts offer an exciting approach to cover extensive skin wounds. The main problem of this method is mechanical instability during the first weeks after grafting. There is evidence that the shortcomings of autografting cultured keratinocytes result from the lack of a mature and functional dermo-epidermal junction. This article summarizes the current knowledge regarding the de novo formation of the dermo-epidermal junction and the dynamics of "take" and stabilization of cultured epithelial autografts. Future strategies are discussed of how to improve and accelerate the process conferring definitive stabilization of cultured epithelial autografts including the potential therapeutic use of transglutaminase as well as cocultivation of a dermo-epidermal equivalent in order to facilitate a permanent skin replacement.
Raghunath
M
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Strasse 56, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
Meuli
M
M
D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000637:transplantation; D005176:Factor XIII / Q000502:physiology; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000637:transplantation; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods
D005176:Factor XIII; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins