An experimental study on the repair of full skin loss of nude mice with composite graft of epidermal stem cells

This study is to constitute a composite skin substitute with epidermal stem cells (ESCs) and fibroblasts on collagen sponge. ESCs were selected by rapid attachment to collagen IV for 10 min. Collagen was extracted from rat's tail. The matrix lattice was fabricated by freeze-dryer and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Fibroblasts were inoculated on collagen sponge and cultured for 1 week prior to inoculation of ESCs. Having cultured for 2 weeks in submerged culture, the bioengineered tissue was raised to the air–liquid interface and cultured for 2 weeks. The artificial skin was then grafted onto full skin loss wounds of nude mice. Collagen sponge membrane lacking cell inoculation and an artificial skin with epidermal cells (ECs) and fibroblasts were used as controls. The wounds were observed daily. Tissue samples were harvested and examined by means of histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The wounds in the test group healed at a significantly faster rate than controls, with good skin appearance and minimal scar formation. The control group showed delayed wound healing and intensive wound contraction as compared to the test group. Thus the skin substitute with ESCs seemed to be a good equivalent.