Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
09:04
Generation of Self-assembled Vascularized Human Skin Equivalents
Published on: February 12, 2021
7.4K
Experimental tissue engineering of fetal skin
L Mazzone1, L Pontiggia, E Reichmann
1Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, luca.mazzone@kispi.uzh.ch.
Pediatric Surgery International
|October 23, 2014
Summary
Researchers engineered a fetal skin substitute using sheep cells and collagen gels for prenatal spina bifida repair. This biomaterial shows potential for in utero skin reconstruction when primary closure is not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials engineering
- Tissue engineering
- Fetal surgery
Background:
- Prenatal spina bifida repair presents challenges when fetal skin defects are too large for primary closure.
- Innovative solutions are needed for in utero skin reconstruction during fetal surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer an autologous fetal skin analogue for in utero reconstruction during spina bifida repair.
- To assess the suitability of engineered skin for fetal transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Cultured ovine fetal keratinocytes (KC) and fibroblasts (FB).
- Developed dermal constructs using collagen hydrogels and fibrin gels with FB.
- Seeded KC onto constructs and evaluated epidermal development using different culture media.
- Analyzed constructs histologically and via immunohistochemistry, comparing them to normal ovine fetal skin.
Main Results:
- Achieved a stratified epidermis covering collagen gel constructs.
- Epidermal stratification and organization depended on culture media.
- Collagen hydrogels showed significant shrinkage in vitro.
- Fibrin gels did not support physiologically organized epidermal formation.
Conclusions:
- Engineered collagen-gel-based skin analogues from ovine fetal cells exhibit near-normal anatomy in vitro.
- These engineered skin substitutes may be suitable for autologous fetal transplantation in spina bifida repair.
