Effects of keratinocyte conditioned medium, amniotic fluid and EGF in reepithelialization of human skin wounds in vitro

Abstract

Growth factors and combinations of growth promoting substances in amniotic fluid, platelet extracts or factors secreted by cultured human keratinocytes have been shown to stimulate cell proliferation and wound healing. In this report, the possibility of studying reepithelialization of wounds in human skin, using small biopsies maintained in vitro, was examined. The effects of fetal calf serum (FCS), keratinocyte conditioned medium (KCM), amniotic fluid and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the reepithelialization process was investigated after seven days. KCM alone did not affect healing, but when added to a suboptimal concentration of FCS (2%), KCM induced reepithelialization of the wounds. Amniotic fluid (25%) alone stimulated the formation of a new epidermis, whereas EGF (10 ng/ml) alone or added to 2% FCS did not induce reepithelialization. The model used in this study includes an autologous matrix comprising living fibroblasts and endothelial cells and may thus be used to study aspects of wound healing in human skin.