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Skin preservation at 4 degrees C: a species comparison
M D Rosenquist1, A E Cram, G P Kealey
1University of Iowa Burn Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
Cryobiology
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Species variation significantly impacts skin graft viability in cold storage. Rabbit and pig skin show promise for preclinical studies, offering relevant insights into human skin preservation.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Interpreting skin storage and preservation studies is challenging due to diverse methods and animal models.
- Standardizing storage protocols is crucial for reliable experimental data in skin grafting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of species variation on skin graft viability using a single cold storage protocol.
- To determine the clinical relevance of animal models in predicting human skin behavior during cold storage.
Main Methods:
- Skin from five animal species and human specimens was stored in modified Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 media at 4°C.
- Stored skin grafts were transplanted onto athymic (nude) mice, with viability assessed after 10 days via gross and microscopic examination.
Main Results:
- Mouse, rat, and dog skin graft viability differed significantly from human skin.
- Rabbit and pig skin graft viability were comparable to human skin under the tested cold storage conditions.
Conclusions:
- Results highlight the limitations of extrapolating non-human species' skin storage data to human clinical practice.
- Rabbit and pig skin are suitable models for laboratory studies on skin preservation at 4°C, likely yielding clinically relevant predictions for human skin behavior.