Cultured human keratinocytes as a single cell suspension in fibrin glue combined with preserved dermal grafts enhance skin reconstitution in athymic mice full-thickness wounds

Cultured human keratinocytes as a single cell suspension in fibrin glue combined with preserved dermal grafts enhance skin reconstitution in athymic mice full-thickness wounds. The technique of transplanting cultured human keratinocytes suspended as single cells in a fibrin-glue matrix (KFGS) has been recently developed to overcome common disadvantages of standard cultured epidermal sheet grafts. The combination of this method with glycerolized (nonvital) xenograft overlays in standardized nude mice full-thickness wounds, as compared to KFGS alone or controls with no grafts, showed enhancement of epithelial regeneration in terms of epithelial thickness and diminished wound contraction during the 6-week follow-up. Total scar thickness was increased after the combined KFGS/xenograft technique. The time taken to complete wound reepithelialization was similar in the two groups. Reconstitution of the dermo-epidermal junction zone as shown by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry was enhanced by the KFGS+xenograft technique, showing structures resembling rete ridges 6 weeks postoperatively. The combined KFGS/xenograft technique is able to transfer proliferative single keratinocytes. The method simplifies the application when compared to conventional epithelial sheet grafting and reduces wound contraction when compared to pure keratinocyte grafting.