Minced Skin for Tissue Engineering of Epithelialized Subcutaneous Tunnels

Abstract

We used minced, autologous skin for neoepithelialization of surgically created subcutaneous tunnels in a large animal model. Partial-thickness skin grafts were harvested from the back region of five 50-60 kg Yorkshire pigs. The skin was minced to 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.3 mm particles. Silicone-latex tubes were covered with fibrin, rolled in minced skin, and placed in subcutaneous tunnels created in the abdominal area. For comparison, single cell suspensions of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in fibrin or fibrin only were transplanted on tubes. Tunnels were extracted after 14, 21, and 28 days for microscopic evaluation. All tubes transplanted with minced skin particles showed neoepithelialization. The epithelium was stratified and differentiated after 2 weeks in vivo, and the stratum corneum was directed toward the implanted tube. No epithelium formed from tubes transplanted with single cell suspensions, and only sparse keratinocytes could be detected by serial sectioning and immunostaining on day 14, but not later. No epithelial lining was found in tunnels with fibrin-only-coated tubes. Epithelial cysts could be found the first 2 weeks after transplantation in the minced skin group but not later. In conclusion, a minced skin technique could serve as a potential source for tissue engineering of tubular conduits for reconstructive purposes of the urethra and for cutaneous stomas for bladder catheterization, or intestinal irrigations. The method would have the advantage of being simple and expeditious and not requiring in vitro culturing.

One-Stage Tissue Engineering of Bladder Wall Patches for an Easy-To-Use Approach at the Surgical Table

“…Fossum et al 14,15 have simplified the approach by mincing autologous skin epithelium or bladder mucosa for tissue transplants based on the method introduced by Meek. 13 They showed that the transplanted minced tissue remains viable, proliferates, and reorganizes on tubular latex scaffolds that serve as 3D molds and are later removed.…”

“…13 Fossum et al have successfully used minced autologous skin for tissue engineering of epithelialized subcutaneous tunnels and have shown that the patient's body can be considered an in vivo incubator for the expansion of minced autologous skin or urothelium. 14,15 Hence, the use of minced tissue of bladder mucosa may serve as an alternative to in vitro culturing of urothelial cells. In the present study, we developed a scaffold suitable for rapid and direct combination with minced tissue and examined the in vitro culturing of a minced bladder mucosal tissue-scaffold hybrid.…”

Maternal and fetal risk factors for bladder exstrophy: A nationwide Swedish case-control study

“…[19][20][21] Urothelium has also been shown to regenerate from the wound edges in a way similar to that of epithelium. [22][23] However, regeneration of the bladder wall tissue beneath the urothelium has been less well described. In vitro expansion of smooth muscle cells is made possible by using explant techniques , suggesting that migration to the edge of a wound before proliferation is a possible mode of action, and that the development might be through cell signaling.…”

Minced Tissue in Compressed Collagen: A Cell-containing Biotransplant for Single-staged Reconstructive Repair

“…The collagen promotes ingrowth of granulation tissue, re-modelling and maturation of extra-cellular matrix 15 . As collagen is degraded, neovascularization and granulation tissue supports the transplanted minced particles that reorganize, migrate and expand [5][6][7]11,16 . Besides, collagen is a major natural component of the extracellular matrix both in skin and in the bladder and has been used for creation of scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo including wound healing studies and reconstructions in the urogenital system 17,18 .…”