Study uses bone marrow stem cells to regenerate skin

January 14, 2009

A new study suggests that adult bone marrow stem cells can be used in the construction of artificial skin. The findings mark an advancement in wound healing and may be used to pioneer a method of organ reconstruction. The study is published in Artificial Organs, official journal of the International Federation for Artificial Organs (IFAO), the The International Faculty for Artificial Organs (INFA) and the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISRBP).

To investigate the practicability of repairing burn wounds with tissue-engineered skin combined with bone marrow stem cells, the study established a burn wound model in the skin of pigs, which is known to be anatomically and physiologically similar to human skin.

Engineering technology and biomedical theory methods were used to make artificial skin with natural materials and bone marrow derived stem cells. Once the artificial skin was attached to the patient and the dermal layer had begun to regenerate, stem cells were differentiated into skin cells. The cells are self-renewing and raise the quality of healing in wound healing therapy. When grafted to the burn wounds, the engineered skin containing stem cells showed better healing, less wound contraction and better development of blood vessels.

Skin, the human body's largest organ, protects the body from disease and physical damage, and helps to regulate body temperature. When the skin has been seriously damaged through disease or burns, the body often cannot act fast enough to repair them. Burn victims may die from infection and the loss of plasma. Skin grafts were originally developed as a way to prevent such consequences.

Artificial Organs: www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118539732/home.

Source: Wiley

Rate this story - not rated yet

rank
1
2
3
4
5

view popular

Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.

Display comments: newest first

denijane - Jan 15, 2009
- Rank: not rated yet
As someone who suffered sever burns, I find this news for awesome. I hope they develop the treatment sooner, so that many people may benefit from it.
- report abuse
- - Current rank
  - 1
  - 2
  - 3
  - 4
  - 5

Other News

Decision day for health care in the House

Medicine & Health / Health

15 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- President Barack Obama is trying to close the deal in the House on his health care overhaul, facing a make-or-break vote that's certain to be seen as a test of his presidency.

Island village hit by suspected swine flu

Medicine & Health / Diseases

16 hours ago | 5 / 5 (1) | 1

(AP) -- Suspected swine flu is sweeping a traditional Eskimo whaling village on a remote Alaska island - prompting an urgent medical mission to deliver help.

Higher carotid arterial stenting rates associated with poorer clinical outcomes

Medicine & Health / Other

16 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

Among eligible Medicare beneficiaries, increased use of carotid arterial stenting (CAS) procedures to treat carotid stenosis--the narrowing of the carotid artery--is associated with higher rates of mortality and adverse clinical ...

Chocolate rich in flavanols may protect the skin from UV

Medicine & Health / Health

Nov 06, 2009 | 5 / 5 (9) | 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study has discovered for the first time that dark chocolate rich in flavanols may provide significant protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Turn On, Tune In, Develop? Researchers Examine How Brain Benefits From Musical Training

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

Nov 06, 2009 | 5 / 5 (8) | 4

For most people music is an enjoyable, although momentary, form of entertainment. But for those who seriously practiced a musical instrument when they were young, perhaps when they played in a school orchestra ...