Single-cell suspensions of cultured human keratinocytes in fibrin-glue reconstitute the epidermis

To overcome common disadvantages of standard cultured epidermal sheet grafts (CEG) we have developed a new technique of transplanting cultured human keratinocytes suspended as single cells in a fibrin-glue matrix (Keratinocyte fibrin-glue suspension-KFGS). In an athymic mouse model with reproducible standardized full thickness wounds this new technique was compared directly to CEG, Reepithelialization was similar in both groups, but reconstitution of the dermo-epidermal junction zone, as shown by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry was significantly enhanced by the fibrin-glue suspension technique. The new KFGS technique is earlier available than sheet grafts, is able to transfer actively proliferative single keratinocytes, and simplifies the application. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.