Scarring, Stem Cells, Scaffolds, and Skin Repair
October 2013
in “
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
”
TLDR Current skin repair methods for severe burns are inadequate, but stem cells and new materials show promise for better healing.
The review discussed the challenges in treating full-thickness skin loss, particularly in large burns, due to the limitations of current tissue-engineered substrates in replicating the epidermal and dermal niches. Autologous skin grafting, the standard treatment, was found inadequate due to issues like scarring and limited donor sites. The review explored the role of stem/progenitor cells in wound repair, focusing on endothelial precursors and their role in vasculogenesis. It also examined advancements in cellularized scaffolds and smart biomaterials aimed at enhancing revascularization, wound healing, and cosmetic outcomes.