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Use of gene-modified keratinocytes and fibroblasts to enhance regeneration in a full skin defect

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Abstract

Background

With the development of cell-based gene transfer techniques, genetically modified human keratinocytes (Kc) and fibroblasts (Fb) have been proven to be a better choice in wound repair.

Methods

This study was designed to construct in one step a gene-modified artificial skin by a genetically engineered Kc expressing PDGF-BB and Fb expressing VEGF165 and bFGF. The wound healing effect in a full-thickness wound model was then observed. Unmodified artificial skin served as control. On the post-operative days 7, 14, and 21, residual wound area was calculated and skin wound tissues were subjected to biopsy for further investigation.

Results

Compared with unmodified artificial skin, gene-modified artificial skin resulted in a reduced wound contraction and a well-organized human epidermis and better formed dermis.

Conclusions

The results suggest that our two-layer, gene-modified artificial skin improved both vascularization and epidermalization for skin regeneration. This technique could bring about a new approach in the treatment of burns and chronic wounds.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the University of Luebeck Research Fund.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Jörn Andreas Lohmeyer & Hans-Günther Machens

  2. Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Unit, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

    Jörn Andreas Lohmeyer, Fang Liu, Frank Siemers & Hans-Günther Machens

  3. Institute of Burns, Wuhan University, Wuhan Hospital No. 3, Wuhan, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Fang Liu

  4. Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

    Stefan Krüger

  5. Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

    Werner Lindenmaier

Authors
  1. Jörn Andreas Lohmeyer
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  2. Fang Liu
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  3. Stefan Krüger
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  4. Werner Lindenmaier
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  5. Frank Siemers
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  6. Hans-Günther Machens
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jörn Andreas Lohmeyer.

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Lohmeyer, J.A., Liu, F., Krüger, S. et al. Use of gene-modified keratinocytes and fibroblasts to enhance regeneration in a full skin defect. Langenbecks Arch Surg 396, 543–550 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-011-0761-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-011-0761-3

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