Skin Tissue Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

The skin—the largest organ of the human body—is composed of the epidermis, the dermis with a complex blood and nerve supply, as well as the hypodermis (subcutaneous fat layer). Skin injuries such as burns, trauma, or disease have dramatic consequences. Therefore, the engineering of biologic skin substitutes has emerged as an alternative therapy that aims to regenerate and replace diseased or injured skin. To achieve this, not only a source of skin cells is required, but also an artificial biocompatible matrix which supports those cells.

Currently, there are no models of tissue-engineered skin that completely replicate the physiology and anatomy of human skin. Ideal skin substitutes should provide a barrier function, have appropriate mechanical stability, be biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-antigenic, and induce minimal inflammatory reactivity. Moreover, they should easily integrate with the host tissue, produce minimal scarring, and improve angiogenesis and wound healing. Goal of the tissue engineering of skin is, therefore, to satisfy most of those criteria when generating novel, smart skin substitutes.

Biomaterials used for skin tissue engineering include natural biopolymers such as collagen type I, fibronectin, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), hyaluronan, polypeptides, hydroxyapatites, chitosan, alginates, and those that are manufactured synthetically.

A major consideration when engineering a skin replacement therapy is to promote skin repair and regeneration by employing suitable biomatrices that not only support skin cell growth but also allow a proper interaction with the host tissue. 

In conclusion, this Special Issue focuses on different aspects of skin tissue engineering, particularly on designing new smart matrices for skin substitutes. The ultimate goal of tissue engineering of the skin is to fabricate a complex multi-layered scar-free “artificial skin” including all the skin appendages (hair follicles, sweat glands, and sensory organs) and layers (epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis) with rapid take (vascularization) and the establishment of a functional vascular and nerve network and scar-free integration with the surrounding host tissue.

Dr. Agnes Klar
Guest Editor

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• biomatrices for skin engineering
• skin substitutes
• skin regeneration
• biomimetic wound dressings
• 3D skin culture systems
• skin stem cells
• skin vascularization
• wound healing