OBJECTIVE: To fabricate artificial human skin with the tissue engineering methods. METHODS: The artificial epidermis and dermis were fabricated based on the successful achievements of culturing human keratinocytes(Kc) and fibroblasts (Fb) as well as fabrication of collagen lattice. It included: 1. Culture of epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts: Kc isolated from adult foreskin by digestion of trypsin-dispase. Followed by comparison from aspects of proliferation, differentiation of the Kc, overgrowth of Fb and cost-benefits. 2. Fabrication of extracellular matrix sponge: collagen was extracted from skin by limited pepsin digestion, purified with primary and step salt fraction, and identified by SDS-PAGE. The matrix lattice was fabricated by freeze-dryer and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde, in which the collagen appeared white, fibrous, connected and formed pores with average dimension of 180 to 260 microns. 3. Fabrication artificial human skin: The artificial skin was fabricated by plating subcultured Kc and Fb separately into the lattice with certain cell density, cultured for one week or so under culture medium, then changed to air-liquid interface, and cultured for intervals. RESULTS: The artificial skin was composed of dermis and epidermis under light microscope. Epidermis of the skin consisted of Kc at various proliferation and differentiation stages, which proliferated and differentiated into basal cell layer, prickle cell layer, granular layer, and cornified layer. Conifilament not only increased in number, but also gathered into bundles. Keratohyalin granules at different development stages increased and became typical. The kinetic process of biochemistry of the skin was coincide with the changes on morphology. CONCLUSION: Tissue engineered skin equivalent has potential prospects in application of repairing skin defect with advantages of safe, effective and practical alternatives.
In order to explore further the regulatory factors to the potentiality in inducing osteogenesis by fibroblasts, the fibroblasts were isolated, and purified from human skin, and were grown in incubation in the media of EGF, IL-6, TNF-alpha and BMP2 at different concentrations for two weeks, then, the markers for osteogenic features were investigated by biochemistry, histochemistry and electron microscopic observations. It was found that the combined use of TNF-alpha and BMP2 could stimulate fibroblasts to secrete alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and collagen, and the morphological changes of the fibroblasts were also very striking. In the extracellular matrix, the collagen fibrils, with or without periodicity, were arranged regularly or randomly oriented, and numerous minute calcium granules were interspersed among them. The fibroblasts were interwoven one on top of another in the form of multilayer structure and on the surface, there were secreting granules and piling up of calcium crystals which coalessed steadily and increased in size in forming bony nodules. It was considered that TNF-alpha and BMP2 were capable of inducing the fibroblasts to form bone.
Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of the fibroblasts inducing the vascularization of dermal substitute. Methods Fibroblasts were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix and cultivated in vitro to construct the living dermal substitute. The release of interleukin 8 (IL 8) and transfonming growth factor β 1(TGF β 1) in culture supernatants were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the mRNA expression of acid fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were detected by RT-PCR. Then, the living substtute was sutured to fullth ickness excised wound on BALBouml;C m ice, and the fate of fibroblast w as observed by using in situ hybridizat ion. Results Fibroblasts cultured on acellular dermalmat rix p ro liferated and reached a single2layer confluence. Fibroblasts could secret IL 28 (192. 3±15. 9) pgouml;m l and TGF-B1 (1. 105±0. 051) pgouml;m l. There w as the mRNA exparession of aFGF and bFGF. Fibroblasts still survived and proliferated 3 weeks after graft ing. Conclusion Pept ides secreted by fibroblasts and its survival after graft ing may be relat ive to the vascularizat ion of the dermal subst itute.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in burn wounds. METHODS: The FGF expression in the center of wound granulation, the edge of wound, the healed part of wound, the normal skin of patients, and the heal course of second degree burn wounds were detected by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The expression intensity of FGF was different in the different sites of third degree burn wounds. The highest contents of FGF was in the center granulation of burn wounds, the less was in the borderline of wound and healed skin, and the least was in the healed skin. FGF expression mainly concentrated in the middle layer of wound, and almost no FGF expression in normal skin. The most FGF expression was occurred at 14 days after injury in second degree of burn wound. CONCLUSION: The changes of FGF in wounds are closely related to the wound healing, and rational use of FGF can promote wound healing.
Objective To investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of normal human skin fibroblasts so as to elucidate its relation with skin wound healing. Methods Fibroblasts wereisolated and cultured in vitro, and then exposed to different doses of LPS(0.005, 0.010, 0.050, 0.100, 0.500, and 1.000 μg/ml) from E.coli055∶B5 respectively. Then the absorbance (A) value of fibroblasts was determined with the colorirneteric thiazolylblue (MTT) assay, and the cell number was counted under inverted phase contrast microscope from the 1st day to the 9th day after LPS administration, and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts in culture medium was measured with the method of pepsin digestion after incorporation of 3Hproline into stable, single-layered, confluent fibroblasts at 7 days after LPS administration. Results Compared with control group, A value increased with the increasing concentration of LPS (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 5th day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). A value decreased when challenged with the LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 3rd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Cell number increased with theadministration of LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and LPS of 0.100 μg/mlgroup had the best effect. The difference was remarkable from the 1st day to the 6th day(P＜0.05). Cell number decreased remarkably when challenged with LPS of 1.000 μg/ml and the difference was remarkable from the 2nd day to the 9th day(P＜0.05). Collagen synthesis increased when challenged with LPS of different concentrations (0.005 μg/ml 0.500 μg/ml) and the 0.100 μg/ml group had the best effect. However, when the dose of LPS reached 1.000 μg/ml, it inhibited collagensynthesis. Conclusion LPS could promote the proliferation andcollagen synthesis of fibroblasts within a certain range of low doses, but over-high dose ofLPS might inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts, suggesting that LPS of certain concentrations might contribute to wound healing, while excessive LPS has negative effect on wound healing.
Objective To establish an effective way to cryopreserveprecartilaginous stem cells(PSCs) of neonate rat. Methods PSCs ［fibroblast growth factor-3(FGFR-3) positive cells］ were isolated and purified by magnetic cell sorting method. PSCs were cultured and amplified to the third generation. PSCs were preserved in liquid nitrogen. The biological properties of cryopreserved PSCs were investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Results Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent analysis showed widespread expression of FGFR-3 in cryopreserved PSCs. FGFR-3 could be dectected by RT-PCR in cryopreserved PSCs.Cryopreserved PSCs kept high cell viability, and phenotypic and proliferation characteristics of PSCs in vivo.Conclusion Cryopreservation of PSCs can supply adequate qualified cells for repairing the defects of epiphyseal growth plate by tissue engineering technique.
Objective To investigate the phenotypic change and proliferation of fibroblasts in human inflammatory strictured bile duct wall. Methods We observed the density and ultrastructure of fibroblasts, and the histologic structure in human normal bile duct wall and inflammatory strictured bile duct wall by light and electron microscope.Results The results showed that fibroblasts were the main source of extracellular matrix production in bile duct wall. The phenotype of fibroblasts in inflammatory strictured bile duct wall changed obviously, quiescent fibroblasts were activated and transformed to myofibroblasts, with massive proliferation. Conclusion These data suggest that massive proliferation of activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is the main source of extracellular matrix overproduction which results in inflammatory bile duct stricture.
【Abstract】 Objective To search for a feasibil ity of repairing full-thickness cutaneous deficiency with tissueengineered skin substitute composited by human epidermal stem cells and fibroblasts in fibrin frame. Methods Epidermal stem cells and fibroblasts were harvested from human epidermis and dermis by trypsin digestion. Cells were cultured and subcultured in non-serum medium. Epidermal stem cells (5×104/mL) and dermal fibroblasts (1×104/mL) in 0.5 mL medium were coagulated in 0.5 mL fibrin frame to construct tissue engineered skin substitute. The tissue engineered skin substitute was grafted onto full-thickness cutaneous deficiency of nude mice. Forty-five male mice, 4-5 week old, weighted 20 g on average, were randomly divided into 5 groups. Oil yarn (group C), fibrin frame membrane without cell inoculation (group F), composite skin substitute with epidermal stem cells (group S) and composite skin substitute with fibroblasts (group Fb) were used as controls, while tissue engineered skin substitute (group T) was experimental group. The wounds were observed 1, 3, 6, 8 weeks after surgery. Samples were harvested 3, 6, 8 weeks after surgery, and were examined by means of histology、immunohistochemistryand scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results Four weeks after cell culture, there were some round cells in the culture capsule of epidemic cells, and some fusiform cells in the culture capsule of fibroblast. Six days after cells were cultured in the BrdU culture medium, there were some BrdU positive cells appeared. There were some CK19 positive cells and Nestin positive cells appeared in the chaff of group T before transplanting. The new formed skin of group T grew faster and had less scar than other groups. Six weeks after surgery, the average thickness of new formed skin was (0.460 ± 0.049) mm in group C, (0.480 ± 0.055) mm in group F, (0.540 ± 0.043) mm in group S, (0.510 ± 0.032) mm in group Fb, (0.660 ± 0.047) mm in group T. The thickness of new formed skin in group T was thicker than other groups (P lt; 0.05). By histology and SEM observation, 3, 6, 8weeks after surgery, the new formed cuticular layer, fibroblast and blood vessels in the group T were more than those in theother groups. The al ignment of blood vessels and collagen fibers in group T were much regular than those in the other groups. Three weeks after surgery, the new formed skin of group T had a continuous color zone of positive collagen Ⅳ staining, while no continuous color zone was found in the other groups. Six weeks after surgery, CK14 positive cells appeared in the new formed skin of group T, while no positive cell was found in the other groups. Conclusion Tissue engineered skin substitute which is composited with epidermal stem cells and fibroblasts in fibrin frame has potential prospects in appl ication of repairing fullthickness cutaneous deficiency with advantage of faster wound heal ing.
Objective To investigate the growth, expansion, and metabolic characteristics of the human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a bioreactor with batch and medium exchange modes. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts separated from foreskin were seeded into a 1.5 liter CelliGen bioreactor with 5mg/ml of microcarriers. The cell growth, glucose consumption and lactate accumulation in both batch and medium exchange cultures were measured. Results The growth density of fibroblasts cultured in the bioreactor with medium-exchange mode reached 2.08×106 cell/ml, expande 29.7 folds, which was 1.81 times as high as that in batch culture. By comparison with the results obtained in T-flasks and spinners under the same medium-exchange conditions, the cell density in the bioreactor was 9.16 and 1.43 times as high as those in T-flasks and spinners respectively owing to that the limitation effect the attachment surface, nutrient exhaust, and by-product accumulation on the growth of fibroblasts in the bioreactor by using microcarriers, medium-exchange, as well as gas aeration was elimnated. Conclution The above results indicate that suspended cultures with microcarriers in bioreactors are an effective approach to rpovide large amounts of seeding cells for tissue engineering.
Objective To compare the attachment and growth of fibroblasts on the different porcine accellular dermal matrix (ADM) so as to find the suitable scaffold for tissue engineering skin. Methods Fibroblasts (5×10 5) were seeded on 4 kinds of ADMs which were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, uncrosslinked, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and removed basement membrane, corsslinked with glutaraldehyde and then meshed. The same density fibroblasts were seeded on petri dish as a control. Cell count was done on the 1st, 3rd, 5th days after seeding. The at tachment of fibroblasts on ADM sw as observed by HE staining. Results The grow th and at tachment of fibroblasts on cro sslinked and non2meshed ADM increasedmarkedly w hen compared w ith the o thers. There w as no obvious difference betw een the group s of w ith o r w ithout basement membrane. Conclus ion The above results indicate that non2meshed and co rsslinked w ith glutaraldehyde ADM ismo re suitable fo r the at tachment and grow th of fibroblasts than the o thers and that the modified ADM can be used fo r the scaffo ld of t issue engineering skin.