Full-thickness human foreskin transplantation onto nude rats as an in vivo model of acute human wound healing Journal Article


Authors: Petratos, P. B.; Chen, J.; Soslow, R. A.; Bleustein, C. B.; Felsen, D.; Poppas, D. P.
Article Title: Full-thickness human foreskin transplantation onto nude rats as an in vivo model of acute human wound healing
Abstract: Current wound-healing models do not fully duplicate the in vivo human environment. The feasibility of grafting human full-thickness foreskin onto nude rats, as a model of acute wound healing, was evaluated. Incisions were then created on the grafted skin, and wound healing was evaluated. Full-thickness human skin was obtained after elective circumcision and was grafted subcutaneously onto the dorsal thorax of nude rats. At 10 days after transplantation, graft beds were judged for graft viability, on the basis of gross appearance, texture, and adherence. Full-thickness wounds were then made in the foreskin. Graft wounds were left to close by secondary intention. The wounds were allowed to heal for 7 days. Wounds were excised-and tested for breaking stress. Histological evaluations included proliferating cell nuclear antigen, factor VIII, hematoxylin and eosin, and trichrome staining. Twenty grafts were performed, with 100 percent viability. Upon incision, all grafts bled freely, indicating a rich vascular supply and tissue viability. Graft viability was confirmed by the presence of proliferating cells in the parabasal stratum of the epithelium. Furthermore, there was evidence of angiogenesis, as confirmed by staining for factor VIII. Breaking stress was evaluated by tensiometry, 7 days after wounding. Histological evaluations revealed viable grafts and active wound-healing events. Full-thickness human skin can be successfully transplanted onto nude rats, providing a larger, more physiological model of human wound healing. This model closely parallels the in vivo situation, providing a promising model for study of the complex biological processes of acute human wound healing, in a reproducible manner.
Keywords: mouse; apoptosis; angiogenesis; xenografts; absorption; proliferative scar; albumin solder
Journal Title: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Volume: 111
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0032-1052
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2003-05-01
Start Page: 1988
End Page: 1997
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000182614200026
DOI: 10.1097/01.prs.0000056831.87062.4b
PROVIDER: wos
PUBMED: 12711961
Notes: Article -- Source: Wos
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  1. Diane Felsen
    1 Felsen
  2. Jie Chen
    4 Chen
  3. Robert Soslow
    793 Soslow