Innovative therapies in wound healing.
BACKGROUND
Apligraf is a bioengineered skin product composed of neonatal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The FDA has approved Apligraf for the treatment of chronic venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers.


OBJECTIVE
We review the development of bioengineered skin, examine the cellular activities of various growth factors that may facilitate wound healing, and discuss the results of clinical trials with a particular construct, Apligraf, as proof of principle.


CONCLUSIONS
Bioengineered skin acts as a "smart" delivery system for growth factors and other stimulatory substances. Not only does it present a novel treatment for chronic and diabetic ulcers, but it could also be considered for application to other types of acute wounds.
Shen
John T
JT
Department of Dermatology, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island 02908, USA.
Falanga
Vincent
V
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003094:Collagen; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
C117898:Apligraf; D003094:Collagen