Objective To search the most suitable concentration of calcium in the medium for the basement membrane reconstruction in tissue engineering skin in vitro. Methods Composite chitosan tissue engineering skin was prepared according to previous studies. Four groups were included according to the concentrationof calcium (1.00, 1.45, 1.65 and 1.95 mmol/L respectively). After 7 days and 15 days of culture, the histological manifestation of basement membrane in tissue engineering skin was observed by hematoxylin  amp; eosin staining and PAS staining, and collagen Ⅳ of basement membrane was detected immunohistochemicallyatthe dermalepidermal junction. Results This tissue engineering skin shared some histological features of normal skin, including a welldifferentiated stratifiedepidermis and a dense dermis. The epithelium in the group of 1.95 mmol/L calcium differentiated better than those in other groups. PAS staining showing a regularly red dying strap domain at the dermal-epidermal junction. Collagen Ⅳ was positively stained immunohistochemically at the dermalepidermal junction inthe tissue engineering skin. Conclusion The above results suggest that the medium with 1.95 mmol/L calcium should be suitable for the growth of composite chitosan tissue engineering skin and the reconstruction of basement membrane.

Citation： LU Yuangang,WU Jinjin,LEI Xia,et al.. EFFECT OF CALCIUM ON RECONSTRUCTION OF BASEMENT MEMBRANE IN COMPOSITECHITOSAN TISSUE ENGINEERING SKIN. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007, 21(3): 298-301. doi: Copy