Tunable engineered skin mechanics via coaxial electrospun fiber core diameter.

Autologous engineered skin (ES) offers promise as a treatment for massive full thickness burns. Unfortunately, ES is orders of magnitude weaker than normal human skin causing it to be difficult to apply surgically and subject to damage by mechanical shear in the early phases of engraftment. In addition, no manufacturing strategy has been developed to tune ES biomechanics to approximate the native biomechanics at different anatomic locations.

Plant-derived human collagen scaffolds for skin tissue engineering.

Tissue engineering scaffolds are commonly formed using proteins extracted from animal tissues, such as bovine hide. Risks associated with the use of these materials include hypersensitivity and pathogenic contamination. Human-derived proteins lower the risk of hypersensitivity, but possess the risk of disease transmission.

Dehydrothermal crosslinking of electrospun collagen.

Electrospun collagen scaffolds must be crosslinked to improve stability. Chemical crosslinking methods are often associated with cytotoxicity and can require lengthy rinsing procedures to remove the crosslinker. Physical crosslinking using dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment is utilized to stabilize fibrous collagen sponges; however, little is known regarding the effect of DHT crosslinking on electrospun collagen.