title: Development of a decellularised dermis.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to develop a decellularised human dermis suitable for allografting. Samples of human skin were obtained from deceased donors and taken through a series of steps to remove all cellular material. The steps were: chemical removal of the epidermis, disinfection, lysing of cells in hypotonic buffer, a detergent treatment and a nuclease buffer to remove residual nuclear material. Histological preparations of the decellularised dermis produced were then investigated. In addition residual DNA content, structural strength, collagen denaturation, cytotoxicity and in vivo tissue reactivity following implantation in a murine model were examined. For all donors tested there was no change in morphology as viewed by light microscopy. Mean DNA removal was evaluated at 92.1%. There were no significant changes in structural strength or evidence of collagen degradation. The tissue did not appear to be cytotoxic or elicit an immune response when implanted in the mouse model. A decellularised tissue has been developed that would appear to be suitable for a range of surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: NHS Blood and Transplant, Tissue Services R&D, 14 Estuary Banks, Speke, Liverpool, L24 8RB, UK. penny.hogg@nhsbt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rooney
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kearney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016923:Cell Death; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000637:transplantation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004247:DNA; D006909:Hydroxyproline