Human single-donor composite skin substitutes based on collagen and polycaprolactone copolymer

The development and characterization of an enhanced composite skin substitute based on collagen and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) are reported. Considering the features of excellent biocompatibility, easy-manipulated property and exempt from cross-linking related toxicity observed in the 1:20 biocomposites, skin substitutes were developed by seeding human single-donor keratinocytes and fibroblasts alone on both sides of the 1:20 biocomposite to allow for separation of two cell types and preserving cell signals transmission via micro-pores with a porosity of 28.8 +/- 16.1 mu m. The bi-layered skin substitute exhibited both differentiated epidermis and fibrous dermis in vitro. Less Keratinocyte Growth Factor production was measured in the co-cultured skin model compared to fibroblast alone condition indicating a favorable microenvironment for epidermal homeostasis. Moreover, fast wound closure, epidermal differentiation, and abundant dermal collagen deposition were observed in composite skin in vivo. In summary, the beneficial characteristics of the new skin substitutes exploited the potential for pharmaceutical screening and clinical application. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.