Tissue Engineering of the Skin.ppt

Tissue Engineering of the Skin Connor Walsh The Skin The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It consists of about ten percent of our body mass. The skin is composed of three distinct layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous fat, sometimes called the hypodermis. Layers of the Skin Layers of the Skin The epidermis is the outermost skin layer and consists of keratinocytes, rapidly dividing stem cells, that help generate epidermal cells. The second layer, the dermis, consists of collagen fibers in a gel like state and also fibroblasts. It helps binds the epidermis so it conforms to the shape of the body. The deepest skin layer, the subcutaneous layer, consists mainly of fatty tissue. Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts Keratinocytes Fibroblasts Function of the Skin A main function of the external skin layer is to provide a tough barrier covering the entire body. It provides defense from radiation, disease, gases, chemicals, and many other destructive forces. However, if the skin is damaged it can lead to difficult complications. Burns A common problem we see with skin damage are burns. Approximately 2,000,000 burns per year in the United States require medical attention. Of these, about 70,000 require hospitalization, and 20,000 need referral to a specialized burn center. About 10,000 patients die each year of infections subsequent to sustaining serious burns These burns can lead to embarrassing scarring and pain for the remainder of the victim’s life. Burn Classification Skin Grafting In the past, a burn victims only option for repair was a method known as a skin graph. This requires doctors to surgically cut a piece of unburned skin from your body and place it on the burned area. This can cause bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and in some cases, a repeat graph is required. Current Skin Engineering Tissue-engineered skin exists as cells grown in vitro and subsequently seeded onto a scaffold or some porous material which is then placed in vivo