A serum-free and feeder-free method for expanding human keratinocytes on microcarriers for the treatment of severe burn injuries

Autologous keratinocytes are used in the treatment of severe burns to augment wound healing. Cells are commonly expanded in serum-containing medium in the presence of lethally irradiated mouse fibroblast feeder cells. Application to the wound bed in single cell suspension is damaging to the cells and often results in significant cell loss. We previously demonstrated improved wound healing outcomes in the porcine model of wound repair with cells delivered using biodegradable gelatin microcarriers instead of as cell spray1. We present here an improved method of culturing human keratinocytes on biodegradable microcarriers under serum-free and feeder-free conditions.