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Tactile function in skin-equivalent grafts
K B English1, N Stayner, G Krueger
1University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Salt Lake City 84108.
Experimental Neurology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Cultured skin grafts can become innervated, but incorporating specific skin elements enhances nerve regeneration and sensory function. Graft quality is crucial for successful innervation and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Cultured skin grafts are effective wound coverings.
- The somatosensory capabilities of cultured skin grafts remain largely unknown.
- Understanding graft innervation is critical for functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cultured skin grafts become innervated.
- To investigate if seeding grafts with target tissue improves nerve growth.
- To assess the impact on functional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Adult rat skin biopsy tissue was used to generate autologous skin for grafting.
- Dissociated keratinocytes were seeded onto fibroblast-contracted collagen gels (skin-equivalents).
- Grafts were either skin-equivalents alone or skin-equivalents with implanted normal skin or touch domes; nerve recordings and histological analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- Nerve fibers were present in the dermis of all grafts and often reached the epidermis.
- Cultured graft areas showed minimal response to light brushing, but responded to rubbing or pinching.
- Implanted skin regions elicited vigorous nerve activity upon light brushing, suggesting enhanced nerve regeneration and function.
Conclusions:
- Cultured skin grafts can achieve innervation.
- Incorporating specific skin elements into grafts appears to enhance nerve regeneration and sensory function.
- The quality of graft engraftment significantly impacts the degree of innervation and functional recovery.