Tri-Layered Full-Thickness Artificial Skin Incorporating Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells, Keratinocytes, and a Basement Membrane

TL;DR

This study develops a tri-layered artificial skin using cells and a basement membrane to improve wound healing without surgery.

Contribution

A novel tri-layered artificial skin combining SVF cells, keratinocytes, and a collagen-elastin basement membrane is proposed.

Findings

The basement membrane supported cell attachment without significant cytotoxic effects.

The artificial skin showed structural and mechanical properties suitable for clinical wound healing.

The method overcomes limitations of current artificial skin technologies.

Abstract

Tissue-engineered artificial skin has the potential to enhance wound healing without necessitating extensive surgical procedures or causing donor-site morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of developing tri-layered tissue-engineered full-thickness artificial skin with a basement membrane for clinical use to accelerate wound healing. We engineered full-thickness artificial skin with a basement membrane for wound healing by employing stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells for the dermal layer and autologous keratinocytes for the epidermal layer. The fabrication of a basement membrane involved the use of 100% bovine collagen and 4% elastin produced through a low-temperature three-dimensional printer. Scaffolds for cells were printed with 100% bovine collagen. The basement membrane underwent evaluations for collagenase degradation, tensile strength, and structural characteristics using scanning electron microscopy. The final tri-layered full-thickness artificial skin included two cell scaffolds with a basement membrane between them. The basement membrane may support cellular attachment without inducing significant cytotoxic effects. This study presents a novel strategy for full-thickness artificial skin development, combining SVF and keratinocytes with an optimized collagen-elastin basement membrane. This method may overcome the significant limitations of current artificial skin, thereby contributing to the advancement of tissue-engineering in wound healing for clinical use.

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