Process for producing skin equivalents and their use for in vitro testing and in vivo transplantation

Abstract

The present invention describes a method for producing a skin equivalent comprising the steps of: a) producing a dermal matrix comprising a first layer and a second layer, comprising the steps of: i) providing said first layer ; ii) providing a polymerizable solution comprising a liquid and at least one polymer selected from collagen, elastin and / or hyaluronic acid; iii) adding said polymerizable solution to said first layer; iv) polymerizing the solution to form the second layer; v) compressing the second layer, wherein due to the compression, the liquid content of the second layer is reduced, and combining the first layer with the second layer layers bonded together to form said dermal matrix; and vi) introducing at least one lumen into said dermal matrix; b) introducing at least one hair follicle and / or hair follicle germ into said dermal matrix produced in step a). at least one cavity to produce a skin substitute; and c) adding at least one additional cell population selected from fibroblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, nerve cells, gland cells, melanocytes or keratinocytes to said in a skin substitute to produce the skin equivalent.

Description

Background technique [0001] The skin is the interface between the body and its environment. It is the first critical barrier against potentially harmful external influences such as mechanical loads or invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. The importance of the skin to human health becomes especially evident when the skin's self-regenerating capacity is no longer sufficient to maintain this protection. This is especially true in patients with chronic or extensive acute wounds, as occurs in the case of injuries such as burns. These conditions have a considerable impact on quality of life and can even be fatal if these wounds are not treated adequately to allow the skin to regenerate. [0002] It is well known that, in addition to the possibility to regenerate damaged skin, in particular artificial skin equivalents likewise containing hair follicles can also be used for the therapeutic treatment of different forms of alopecia or baldness. [0003] Furthermore, there is a need...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In particular, the implantation of hair follicles, adipose tissue and vascular supply of artificial skin has so far yielded only unsatisfactory results

Furthermore, to date, it has not been possible to produce such artificial skins on a large scale, as currently high-throughput methods for such products are still limited.

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