Novel organotypic cultures of human skin explants with an implant-tissue biomaterial interface

A novel in vitro culture system of organotypic human skin explants interfacing with external fixator pins is presented. The system was used to observe changes in skin morphology on the skin at the pin interface. To evaluate the performance of this novel system, histological analysis of human skin explants cultured for 5 days at the air-liquid interface was performed. Compared to control explants, specimens interfaced with pins (treated or not with a physiological saline solution) showed a deteriorating basal layer, a disappearing stratum spinosum and increased lost of elastic fibers in the dermis. The model system makes it possible to perform rapid, repeatable studies of living skin response to chronically implanted materials and devices.