A Perfusable Vascularized Full-Thickness Skin Model for Topical and Systemic Applications by IFSCC Magazine

Vascularization of reconstructed tissues is one of the remaining hurdles to be considered to improve both the functionality and viability of skin grafts and the relevance of in vitro applications.

Our study therefore sought to develop a perfusable vascularized full-thickness skin equivalent that comprises a more complex blood vasculature then existing models. We here combined molding, auto-assembly and microfluidics techniques in order to produce a skin equivalent that recapitulates a properly differentiated epidermis as well as complex vascular networks.

Indeed, three perfusable vascular channels that sprouted via angiogenesis were created and eventually connected to a capillary plexus generated by endothelial cell auto-assembly, i.e. vasculogenesis.

We then evaluated the skin permeability for compounds with different chemical properties and systemic delivery of the benzo[a]pyrene pollutant. Our results demonstrated that perfusion of the vascular plexus resulted in a more predictive and reliable model to assess both topical and systemic applications. This model is therefore aimed at furthering drug discovery and improving clinical translation in dermatology.

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By IFSCC Magazine