A Systematic Review Comparing Animal and Human Scarring Models.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dermatology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Developing reproducible cutaneous scar models is essential for therapeutic assessment.
• Existing models vary in their ability to mimic human scarring.
• A critical evaluation of current animal and human scar models is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and critically evaluate existing animal and human models for cutaneous scar tissue.
• To identify the strengths and limitations of various scar modeling techniques.
• To inform the selection of appropriate models for future therapeutic research.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of Ovid Medline® was conducted using searches for animal and human scar models.
• Studies were included if they modeled cutaneous scars in animals or humans, excluding wound healing or existing scar studies.
• Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility.

Main Results:

• 71 animal studies (rabbits, mice, pigs, dogs, primates) and 9 human studies met the inclusion criteria.
• Common methods included sharp excision, thermal injury, and fibrotic substance injection in animals; sharp incision in humans.
• The rabbit ear model is popular, but pig scar tissue most closely resembles human scars.

Conclusions:

• Pigs provide the most human-like scar tissue models.
• Immunodeficient mouse models offer in vivo human tissue study but have limitations.
• In vitro human tissue models present a cost-effective option for initial therapeutic screening.