| abstract |
An artificial skin is prepared by impregnating a collagen matrix with a transforming growth factor- beta having a collagen-binding site to bind the growth factor to the collagen matrix, incubating the impregnated matrix with a source of fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells to form a captured population of mesenchymal stem cells within the impregnated matrix and incubating the resultant matrix with a source of keratinocytes which epithelialize the matrix to form an artificial skin. The collagen matrix is preferably in the form of a collagen sheet. The transforming growth factor- beta can be transforming growth factor- beta 1, transforming growth factor- beta 2 or transforming growth factor- beta 3. Preferably, the transforming growth factor- beta having a collagen binding site is a fusion protein having a purification tag, at least one proteinase site, an extracellular matrix binding site and a transforming growth factor active fragment. The extracellular matrix binding site binds collagen, fibronectin or a cell surface. A method of preparing the fusion protein involves purifying and renaturing transforming growth factor- beta protein to provide an active fusion protein. |