Scientists have for the first time printed skin that grows like real skin
A new bioprinted skin created at Wakee Forest's Institute for Regenerative Medicine replicates the layers and thickness of human skin.For the first time, scientists have combined six primary skin cell types with specialized hydrogels to "print" thick, multi-layered skin. Its specialty is that when transplanted, it successfully integrates with surrounding tissues for faster wound healing and with less scarring.
The printed skin, which has keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, adipocytes, melanocytes, follicle skin cells and dermal microvascular endothelial cells, replicated real skin with three layers: the thin protective outer epidermis, the middle fibrous and supportive dermis and the fatty hypodermis.
When transplanted onto the wounds of mice, the printed skin formed blood vessels, skin patterns and showed normal tissue development. As a result, the scientists achieved faster wound closure and more collagen production, leading to less scarring. Using cell staining, the WFIRM team confirmed the successful integration of bioprinted cells with regenerated skin during the healing process.
The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.