title: [Decellularized fish skin: characteristics that support tissue repair].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acellular fish skin of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is being used to treat chronic wounds. The prevalence of diabetes and the comorbidity of chronic wounds is increasing globally. The aim of the study was to assess the biocompatibility and biological characteristics of acellular fish skin, important for tissue repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  The structure of the acellular fish skin was examined with microscopy. Biocompatibility of the graft was conducted by a specialized certified laboratory. Protein extracts from the material were analyzed using gel electrophoresis. Cytokine levels were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Angiogenic properties were assessed with a chick chorioallantoic membrane (chick CAM) assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The structure of acellular fish skin is porous and the material is biocompatible. Electrophoresis revealed proteins around the size 115-130 kDa, indicative of collagens. The material did not have significant effect on IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-6 or TNF-α secretion from monocytes or macrophages. Acellular fish skin has significant effect on angiogenesis in the chick CAM assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acellular fish skin is not toxic and is not likely to promote inflammatory responses. The graft contains collagen I, promotes angiogenesis and supports cellular ingrowth. Compared to similar products made from mammalian sources, acellular fish skin does not confer a disease risk and contains more bioactive compounds, due to less severe processing.
authors.forename: Skúli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magnússon
authors.forename: Baldur Tumi
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Baldursson
authors.forename: Hilmar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kjartansson
authors.forename: Guðný Ella
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Thorlacius
authors.forename: Ívar
authors.initials: Í
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.forename: Óttar
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: Rolfsson
authors.forename: Pétur Henry
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Guðmundur Fertram
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Sigurjónsson
mesh_terms: D062088:Acellular Dermis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D048389:Gadus morhua; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D012038:Regeneration; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I; D016207:Cytokines