Publication details
Funkční vícevrstvá buněčná náhrada kůže
| Title in English | Functional multilayer cellular skin substitute |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Outcomes put into operation (prototype, working sample) |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Description | The development of functional multilayer skin cell substitutes represents a key step in the field of tissue engineering based on non-toxic and resorbable biomaterials, which has the potential to transform the therapeutic approach to acute extensive skin defects (burns) and chronic non-healing wounds. All of these wounds currently pose a major challenge for both research and clinical practice, for two main reasons: 1) a potential absolute shortage of donor sites, 2) poor quality of the skin at the recipient site and the risk of pathological processes during the maturation phase of wound healing. The skin is a complex organ composed of several layered structures, including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, with each of these layers containing different cell populations organized into a complex three-dimensional extracellular matrix. This microenvironment significantly influences cellular behavior, including proliferation, differentiation, and intercellular interactions, which are essential for maintaining skin homeostasis and regeneration. While the use of cell-free biomaterials enriched with growth factors can support certain aspects of healing, it does not allow for the full reconstruction of both the anatomical and functional structures of natural skin, as the dynamic and regulatory components of living cells are absent. For this reason, increasing attention is currently being paid to studying and optimizing the interactions between cell subpopulations and matrix scaffolds under controlled laboratory conditions. This approach aims to create a full-thickness artificial skin substitute that respects the important morphological and functional characteristics of native human skin, such as the barrier function of the epidermis, the mechanical strength and viscoelastic properties of the dermis, and vascularization. Biocompatible foam scaffolds based on natural biopolymers play a significant role here; their physicochemical properties mimic the natural extracellular matrix and support the integration of newly introduced cells. The integration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) at various stages of differentiation allows for the modeling of the autonomy and functional specialization of individual skin layers. This complex biomaterial system thus represents a highly promising platform for the development of a substitute capable not only of replicating the anatomical hierarchy of the skin but also of restoring its key physiological functions, including mechanical protection and viscoelastic properties. These properties are essential for ensuring a high-quality skin barrier. |
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