| abstract |
Disclosed is a multilayer skin equivalent having (i) a scaffold layer incorporated with dermis-forming cells, and (ii) a keratinocyte layer. Also disclosed is a multilayer dermal equivalent having at least one of (i) a first layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts; and, in laminar relationship therewith, (ii) a second layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts. Preferred embodiments include those where the scaffold or dermis-forming layer is a multilayer selected from the group consisting of (a) a layer containing isolated papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated reticular dermis-forming cells; (b) a layer containing isolated papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated, culture expanded mesenchymal stem cells; and (c) a layer containing isolated reticular dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated, culture expanded mesenchymal stem cells. Also enclosed is a multilayer skin equivalent having (i) a scaffold layer comprising a first layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts and, in laminar relationship therewith, a second layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts; and (ii) a keratinocyte layer. Also disclosed is an injectable composition of dermis-forming cells and at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component in a pharmaceutically acceptable injectable carrier. The injectable composition can further include keratinocytes. |