Living skin equivalents constructed using human amnions as a matrix.
BACKGROUND
Living skin equivalents (LSEs) are being used to treat burn wounds, skin defects, and chronic wounds, and today, several biomaterials are applied as dermal matrices in LSEs. The amnionic membrane (AM) is known to have useful properties as a dermal matrix and can be used to construct a LSE.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a new LSE with human AM as the matrix.


METHODS
Human AM was de-epithelialized and investigated to determine whether it supported keratinocyte adherence and proliferation, and fibroblast in-growth and proliferation. A new LSE was constructed by seeding keratinocytes on the epithelial side of fibroblast-populated, de-epithelialized AM and was investigated histologically. The LSE was transplanted onto a full-thickness wound on a nude mouse and a histological examination was conducted.


RESULTS
De-epithelialized AM supported the adherence and proliferation of keratinocytes and the in-growth of fibroblasts. The new LSE demonstrated good mechanical properties and revealed good morphology, with a well differentiated epidermis and well developed basement membrane. The LSE grafts survived well on nude mice, showing good morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
A LSE with amnions as a matrix exhibited good morphology, low cost, and good mechanical properties and may be useful as a skin substitute for clinical use.
Department of Dermatology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon City, Ehime, Japan.
Lujun
L
Yang
Yuji
Y
Shirakata
Sho
S
Tokumaru
Dai
D
Xiuju
Mikiko
M
Tohyama
Yasushi
Y
Hanakawa
Satoshi
S
Hirakawa
Koji
K
Sayama
Koji
K
Hashimoto
D000650:Amnion / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003094:Collagen