Fish Acellular Dermal Matrix Promotes Repair of Full-Thickness Skin Defects in Mice and Bama Pigs

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are crucial for skin wound repair.
• Developing novel, cost-effective, and biocompatible scaffolds is essential for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an acellular dermal matrix from tilapia skin.
• To evaluate its efficacy as a bioscaffold for skin wound repair in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

• Decellularization of tilapia skin.
• Histological, electron microscopy, and immunological analyses.
• In vitro cell culture assays (proliferation, migration, tube formation).
• In vivo studies using full-thickness skin defects in mice and pigs.
• Transcriptomic profiling of wound tissue.

Main Results:

• The tilapia-derived matrix demonstrated low immunogenicity and preserved extracellular matrix structure.
• In vitro studies showed enhanced endothelial cell and fibroblast activity.
• In vivo studies in mice and pigs accelerated wound closure and improved tissue regeneration (collagen deposition, vascularization).
• The fish-derived scaffold outperformed a commercial porcine-derived matrix.
• Transcriptomic analysis revealed modulation of immune regulation, ECM remodeling, and angiogenesis pathways.

Conclusions:

• Tilapia-derived acellular dermal matrix is a promising, biocompatible, and effective bioscaffold for skin wound repair.
• It offers superior regenerative outcomes compared to porcine matrices.
• The scaffold has potential as a safe, economical, and sustainable option for clinical use, supported by large animal model data and mechanistic insights from transcriptomics.