Stem Cells and The Skin
- Among
adult stem cells, epithelial stem cells have achieved success in tissue engineering
applications.
- In
normal skin, epithelial stem cells are located in the basal keratinocyte layer,
and they ensure the renewal of skin by giving rise to daughter cells that
differentiate and migrate toward the suprabasal layers.
- Epithelial
stem cells are already used in the production of synthetic grafts for the
treatment of burns and some skin diseases.
- Synthetic
skin grafts are made by culturing keratinocytes onto a dermislike substrate.
The success of the graft depends on the ability of the epithelial stem cells
to replenish the cell supply.
- Several
companies already manufacture a commercially available skin substitute.
Mugur Roz