Membrane cell grafts , fresh and frozen, to cover full thickness wounds in athymic nude mice

Biobrane, an adherent, flexible temporary wound dressing was incubated with cultured human keratinocytes. The cells adhered quickly, forming ”membrane-cell-grafts” (MCG). Some of the grafts were frozen and, after thawing, viability was verified with an XTT colorimetric assay. MCGs, fresh and cryopreserved, were transplanted on full thickness wounds created on athymic nude mice and resulted in a differentiated epithelium of human phenotype. For further investigation immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and electronmicroscopy were performed. Conventional cultured epidermal grafts (CEG) and wounds without cell grafts served as control. Compared with CEG-grafted sites a reduced wound contraction was noticed and complete remodelling of the basement membrane zone was found. The effectiveness of the easy, uncomplicated production, cryopreservation and use, as well as the short culture period could lead to a new approach in the treatment of burns and chronic wounds.