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Journal of Translational Medicine
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Skin Graft | Review

Translational stem cell therapy: vascularized skin grafts in skin repair and regeneration

Authors: Qian Hua Phua, Hua Alexander Han, Boon-Seng Soh

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

The skin is made up of a plethora of cells arranged in multiple layers with complex and intricate vascular networks, creating a dynamic microenvironment of cells-to-matrix interactions. With limited donor sites, engineered skin substitute has been in high demand for many therapeutic purposes. Over the years, remarkable progress has occurred in the skin tissue-engineering field to develop skin grafts highly similar to native tissue. However, the major hurdle to successful engraftment is the incorporation of functional vasculature to provide essential nutrients and oxygen supply to the embedded cells. Limitations of traditional tissue engineering have driven the rapid development of vascularized skin tissue production, leading to new technologies such as 3D bioprinting, nano-fabrication and micro-patterning using hydrogel based-scaffold. In particular, the key hope to bioprinting would be the generation of interconnected functional vessels, coupled with the addition of specific cell types to mimic the biological and architectural complexity of the native skin environment. Additionally, stem cells have been gaining interest due to their highly regenerative potential and participation in wound healing. This review briefly summarizes the current cell therapies used in skin regeneration with a focus on the importance of vascularization and recent progress in 3D fabrication approaches to generate vascularized network in the skin tissue graft.
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Metadata
Title
Translational stem cell therapy: vascularized skin grafts in skin repair and regeneration
Authors
Qian Hua Phua
Hua Alexander Han
Boon-Seng Soh
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Skin Graft
Published in
Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-02752-2

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