OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of fibroblasts in reconstruction of composite skin, and evaluate the effect of composite skin on full-thickness skin defect.

METHODSKeratinocytes and fibroblasts were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix and cultivated in vitro to reconstruct the composite skin. Adherence of keratinocytes to dermal matrix was observed. Then take rate and histological construction were investigated after the composite skin was used to cover full-thickness skin defect wound in nude mice (n = 16).

RESULTSKeratinocytes grew and proliferated to reach tho confluence on the surface of the acellular dermal matrix. Keratinocytes adhered more stablely and could not be torn down from dermal matrix in operation when few fibroblasts were seeded on the epidermal surface of the dermal matrix. After grafting, the composite skin closed the full-thickness wound in nude mouse. The total survival was achived in 10 mice (62.5%). The newly generated skin was with intact histological construction of base membrance containing laminin and type IV collagen.

CONCLUSIONComposite skin could close the full-thickness wound, and fibroblasts could improve adherence of keratinocytes to dermal matrix, which should benefit the survival of composite skin.