Evaluation of functions and tissue compatibility of poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) seeded with human dermal fibroblasts

In tissue engineering and wound-healing applications, dermal substitutes are used to provide fibroblasts with the mechanical support for their growth and then to facilitate the skin formation. In this study, three-dimensional porous poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) 65/35 scaffolds were prepared and then the composites of the scaffolds and human fetal dermal fibroblasts were fabricated as a tissue-engineered dermal substitute. The function and tissue compatibility of the artificial dermal substitute were evaluated at the levels of gene expression (by RT-PCR) and protein expression (total collagen quantities), as well as by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The PCR products indicated that the mRNA of type-I collagen, mainly secreted by the fibroblasts onto the PLGA scaffolds, was clearly expressed after 4 weeks. The amount of total collagen synthesized from the cells was shown to increase gradually during the initial culture period and slightly decreased afterwards. After 8 weeks of culture, the fibroblasts were well attached and migrated entirely throughout the pores of the PLGA scaffold with normal function. Furthermore, the positively stained type-I collagen was intensively detected throughout the pores. These results suggest that the function and tissue compatibility may be important criteria in evaluating an artificial tissue-engineered skin.