FGF-7 expression enhances the performance of bioengineered skin

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bioengineered skin requires enhanced performance for effective wound healing.
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 (FGF-7) is a key factor in skin development and repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To genetically modify human keratinocytes with FGF-7 to improve bioengineered skin functionality.
• To evaluate the impact of FGF-7 expression on epidermal growth, vascularization, and antimicrobial properties.

Main Methods:

• Recombinant retrovirus encoding FGF-7 was used to genetically modify diploid human keratinocytes.
• Modified or control keratinocytes were seeded onto acellular human dermis to create bioengineered skin constructs.
• Assays were performed to assess epidermal thickness, cell proliferation, growth factor secretion (VEGF), keratinocyte migration, antimicrobial activity, and revascularization in vivo.

Main Results:

• FGF-7-expressing bioengineered skin exhibited a thicker, hyperproliferative epidermis with four times more cells per square centimeter.
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) secretion increased approximately 5-fold.
• Antimicrobial properties against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria increased over 500-fold.
• Transplantation studies showed more rapid revascularization in FGF-7 expressing skin grafts.

Conclusions:

• Genetic modification of keratinocytes with FGF-7 significantly augments key properties of bioengineered skin.
• FGF-7 expression enhances epidermal regeneration, wound healing, and innate immunity.
• This approach holds promise for developing more effective therapeutic skin substitutes for wound management.