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Bioartifical mucosa: Delivery of biomaterials to the skin-percutaneous device interface in in vitro human organotypic skin cultures

Abstract:

We have developed an in vitro culture system composed of organotypic human skin expiants interfaced with titanium rods or stainless steel fixator pins. The use of this interface provides a model to evaluate strategies for creating a stable, long-term connection with living skin and chronic percutaneous devices. Our hypothesis is that the delivery of specific biomaterials at this interface will create a dynamic, slowly flowing matrix for skin biointegration, local administration of drugs or antimicrobials. We define this concept as the generation of an artificial mucosa, because it mimics the situation of several epithelial tissues (like the periodontal junction between the tooth and the junctional epithelium [1]) where antimicrobial peptides and mucins are constantly extruded.