engleski

Culture of human keratinocytes and production of keratinocyte grafts in vitro

Extensive skin defects after the burn injuries are covered by skin transplants, lyophilized animal skin, artificial tissues made of biodegradable material or the skin epithelial cells (keratinocytes) cultured in vitro. The biotechnological method for the large-scale production of human keratinocytes has been discovered about twenty years ago and today is used in several specialized centers. Keratinocytes obtained from a skin biopsy of 1.5 cm2 may in three weeks yield the progeny sufficient to cover as much as 1.5 m2 which is equivalent to the whole body surface. The period required for the expansion of the autologous keratinocytes of a burned patient is bridged by temporary transplants of allogeneic skin or artificial material. The cultivation of human skin has been started in our Institute and the first cultures have been obtained. Clinical use of the cultured material is planned in collaboration with the plastic surgeons. The biotechnological process for the production of the material suitable for clinical use requires a highly skilled personnel and strict sterility of the working environment.

burn injuries; keratinocytes; in vitro cultures; keratinocyte graft

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