In a pioneering achievement, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) have unveiled a groundbreaking study published in Science Translational Medicine, showcasing a significant breakthrough in the realm of skin regeneration and wound healing. The research, titled “Bioprinted Skin with Multiple Cell Types Promotes Skin Regeneration, Vascularisation, and Epidermal Rete Ridge Formation in Full-Thickness Wounds,” marks a crucial milestone in the development of bioprinted skin that holds promise for accelerated wound healing and improved outcomes.
Co-led by Anthony Atala, M.D., director of WFIRM, and Adam Jorgensen, M.D., Ph.D., post-doctorate researcher at WFIRM, the study introduces a novel approach to skin regeneration, addressing longstanding challenges faced by burn victims, wounded warriors, and individuals with skin disorders. Traditional grafts often provide temporary solutions, leading to scarred appearances or lack some essential elements of normal skin.
The key breakthrough involves the bioprinting of all six major primary human cell types found in the skin, using specialised hydrogels as a bioink. This process resulted in the creation of multi-layered full-thickness skin, replicating the three layers present in normal human tissue: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Upon transplantation in pre-clinical settings, the bioprinted skin exhibited the formation of blood vessels, skin patterns, and normal tissue structure.
Notable outcomes of the study included improved wound closure, reduced skin contraction, and increased collagen production to minimise scarring. The fully functional skin regeneration achieved in this research represents a groundbreaking advance in the field.
Dr. Atala, the primary author of the paper, emphasised the significance of these results, stating, “Comprehensive skin healing is a significant clinical challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide, with limited options. These results show that the creation of full thickness human bioengineered skin is possible, and promotes quicker healing and more naturally appearing outcomes.”
By utilising existing bioprinting technology, the WFIRM team has demonstrated that fully functional skin regeneration is achievable. The bioengineered skin grafts offer a triple-layer structure for comprehensive wound coverage, opening new avenues for transformative advancements in the field of regenerative medicine.
