title: Development and characterization of a human dermal equivalent with physiological mechanical properties.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different models of reconstructed skin are available, either to provide skin wound healing when this process is deficient, or to be used as an in vitro model. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the mechanical properties of skin equivalent. Indeed, human skin is naturally under tension. Taking into account these features, the purpose of this work was to obtain a cellularized dermal equivalent (CDE), composed of collagen and dermal fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  To counteract the natural retraction of CDE and to maintain it under tension, different biomaterials were tested. Selection criteria were biocompatibility, bioadhesion properties, ability to induce differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and mechanical characterization, considering that of skin in vivo. These assays led to the selection of honeycomb of polyester. CDE constructed on this biomaterial was further characterized mechanically using tensile tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that mechanical features of the obtained dermal equivalent, including myofibroblasts, were similar to skin in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The original model of dermal equivalent presented herein may be a useful tool for clinical use and as an in vitro model for toxicological/pharmacological research.
authors.affiliation: Inserm UMR 645 Engineering and Cutaneous Biology Team, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Gwenaël
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rolin
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Placet
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tauzin
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pazart
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viennet
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saas
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muret
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Binda
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humbert
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D011091:Polyesters