Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicle Stem Cells as cellular components for a bio-engineered permanent skin substitute

LEIRÓS, GJ; DRAGO,H; BOSSI, S; KUSINSKY, AG; ATTORRESI, AI; STELLA IY; BALAÑA, ME

Congreso; 41st Annual European Society for Dermatological Research Meeting; 2011

European Society for Dermatological Research

The bio-engineered composite skin (dermo-epidermal) could be a useful tool to treat deep and extensive skin injuries. We studied the effect of human Dermal Papilla Cells (DPC), as dermal component, on tissue architecture and stem cell persistence in the development of a permanent composite skin with Hair Follicle Stem Cells (HFSC) as well as on the graft-take in nude mice. A porcine acellular dermis, seeded with HFSC alone, and with DPC or 3T3-Swiss cell line was cultured both in liquid or air-liquid interface. Histological analysis and p63 immunohistochemistry were performed. Liquid cultures did not show differences between constructions. In air-liquid interface constructions, DPC presence induced a more regular and multi-layered stratified epidermis with more basal p63-positive cells and invaginations. Graft take was favoured in DPC-containing composite skin supported by the fact of graft-epidermis survival. In these constructions, porcine acellular dermis showed fibroblast and angioblast invasion and a remodeling phenomena mediated by macrophages and giant cells. Likewise, fibroblast and angioblast proliferation was observed from the wound border generating a granulation-tissue immediately below the graft-epidermis. Composite skin containing 3T3-Swiss cells showed graft epidermis necrosis, reduced porcine dermis remodeling and absence of granulation-tissue below graft-epidermis.   The results indicate that presence of DPC in composite skin contribute to a more arranged stratified-epidermis with more precursor cells, and a better graft-take in nude mice, suggesting that DPC and HFSC are promising cellular components for a permanent skin substitute.