Human bone marrow-derived cells: an attractive source to populate dermal substitutes.

We have previously shown the importance of dermal fibroblasts within skin substitutes for promoting the emergence of a functional neodermis after grafting in humans. However, the use of fibroblasts from sources other than the dermis needs to be evaluated for patients with extensive skin loss. Here we examined the capacity of human bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs), selected for their ability to adhere to plastic culture dishes, to behave like human dermal fibroblasts when incorporated within a 3D in vitro reconstructed tissue that promotes dermal fibroblast differentiation.

Dextran derivatives modulate collagen matrix organization in dermal equivalent.

Dextran derivatives can protect heparin binding growth factor implied in wound healing, such as transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). The first aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these compounds on human dermal fibroblasts in culture with or without TGF-beta1. Several dextran derivatives obtained by substitution of methylcarboxylate (MC), benzylamide (B) and sulphate (Su) groups were used to determine the effects of each compound on fibroblast growth in vitro.

Effect of a dextran derivative associated with TGF-beta1 or FGF-2 on dermal fibroblast behaviour in dermal equivalents.

Dextran derivatives that mimic the action of heparin have been shown to protect heparin-binding growth factors, such as Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LS21 DMCBSu, a dextran derivative which contains methylcarboxylate, benzylamide and sulfate groups, both by itself and when combined with TGF-beta1 and FGF-2, on the behaviour of fibroblasts. Two systems were assessed: a monolayer culture and three-dimensional collagenous matrices (dermal equivalent).

Production of ordered collagen matrices for three-dimensional cell culture.

The aim of this study was to produce collagen gels with controlled fibrillar order as matrices for cell culture. Their structural characterization and colonization by human dermal fibroblasts arc presently reported. Ordered matrices are obtained by using the property of type I collagen monomers to self-assemble in liquid crystalline arrays by slow evaporation of acidic solutions at high concentrations.