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Research Paper
Characterisation of a new degradable polymer scaffold for regeneration of the dermis: In vitro and in vivo human studies
Fredrik R.M. Huss, Erika Nyman, Carl-Johan Gustafson, Katrin Gisselfält, Elisabeth Liljensten and Gunnar Kratz
volume 4 | issue 3
july/aug/sepSubscribe to this journal for $59/year
Full thickness skin wounds in humans heal with scars, but without regeneration of the dermis. A degradable poly(urethane urea) scaffold (PUUR), Artelon® is already used to reinforce soft tissues in orthopaedics, and for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand, wrist, and foot. In this paper we have done in vitro experiments followed by in vivo studies to find out whether the PUUR is biocompatible and usable as a template for dermal regeneration. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on discs of PUUR, with different macrostructures (fibrous and porous). They adhered to and migrated into the scaffolds, and produced collagen. The porous scaffold was judged more suitable for clinical applications and 4 mm Ø, 2 mm-thick discs of porous scaffold (12% w/w or 9% w/w polymer solution) were inserted intradermally in four healthy human volunteers. The implants were well tolerated and increasing ingrowth of fibroblasts was seen over time in all subjects. The fibroblasts stained immunohistochemically for procollagen and von Willebrand factor, indicating neocollagenesis and angiogenesis within the scaffolds. The PUUR scaffold may be a suitable material to use as a template for dermal regeneration.
Authors
Fredrik R.M. Huss
Laboratory for Experimental Plastic Surgery; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping, Sweden
Erika Nyman
Laboratory for Experimental Plastic Surgery; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping, Sweden
Carl-Johan Gustafson
Laboratory for Experimental Plastic Surgery; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping, Sweden
Katrin Gisselfält
Artimplant AB; Göteborg, Sweden
Elisabeth Liljensten
Artimplant AB; Göteborg, Sweden
Gunnar Kratz
Laboratory for Experimental Plastic Surgery; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping, Sweden