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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Minced Tissue in Compressed Collagen: A Cell-containing Biotransplant for Single-staged Reconstructive Repair
Published on: February 24, 2016
[Reconstruction and transplantation of the composite skin comprising epithelial growth factor gene-transfected
Shi-chu Xiao1, Shi-hui Zhu, Zhao-fan Xia
1Department of Burn, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Objective:
To investigate the epithelial growth factor (EGF) expression of EGF gene-transfected keratinocytes and its effect on cell proliferation after grafting.
Methods:
Newborn Balb/c mouse keratinocytes and gene transfected keratinocytes were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix and cocultured in different ratios as follows: 1:1, 1:3, or 1:5 1 week after culture. The composite skin was grafted onto the full-thickness wound in Balb/c mouse. Specimen was harvested at interval after grafting and underwent the immunohistochemistry staining for EGF and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
Results:
Immunohistochemical staining showed EGF was expressed in the newly generated epidermis 1-2 week after grafting of the composite skin comprising Balb/c mouse keratinocytes and gene-transfected keratinocytes (at the ratio of 1:5). One week after surgery, Anti-PCNA positive basal cells were more than that in composite skin containing Balb/c mouse keratinocytes alone (P<0.01).
Conclusion:
The gene-transfected keratinocytes expresses EGF and promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes in the early stage after transplantation.
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