Abstract
Degradable aliphatic polyesters such as polylactides, polyglycolides and their copolymers are used in several biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. We analyzed the influence of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) thin films on the adhesion, proliferation, motility and differentiation of primary human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the context of their potential use as cell carriers for skin tissue engineering. We did not observe visible differences in the morphology, focal contact appearance, or actin cytoskeleton organization of skin cells cultured on PLGA films compared to those cultured under control conditions. Moreover, we did not detect biologically significant differences in proliferative activity, migration parameters, level of differentiation, or expression of vinculin when the cells were cultured on PLGA films and tissue culture polystyrene. Our results indicate that PLGA films do not affect the basic functions of primary human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts and thus show acceptable biocompatibility in vitro, paving the way for their use as biomaterials for skin tissue engineering.
Highlights
Using cultured autologous keratinocytes and fibroblasts has become a common clinical procedure in the treatment of skin defects, such as burn injury or chronic ulcers [1,2,3]
One currently investigated biomaterial is thin films made of the resorbable polymer PLGA, which biodegrades after fulfilling its biological function and does not require painful removal
Our results indicate an absence of significant differences in the proliferation ratios of fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured on PLGA thin films when compared to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) (Fig. 3A and B)
Summary
Using cultured autologous keratinocytes and fibroblasts has become a common clinical procedure in the treatment of skin defects, such as burn injury or chronic ulcers [1,2,3]. The advantages of this technique include high rates of engraftment and rapid wound closure. It can reduce requirements for the harvesting of donor skin, suppressing scar formation and reducing the need for additional reconstructive surgical procedures [4, 5]. There is evidence that aliphatic polyesters are suitable materials for skin tissue engineering, as exemplified by the medical product Dermagraft, which has been commercially available since 2001
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