Preprint / Version 1

Utilizing Stem Cells to Address Skin Tissue Immune Rejection

##article.authors##

  • Boah Jin Polygence

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.701

Keywords:

regenerative medicine, skin tissue engineering, wound healing, skin, skin transplants, immune system, immune rejection, stem cells, biomaterials, stem cell scaffolds

Abstract

The skin of the human body comprises three distinct layers — the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis — each filled with diverse cells and structures vital for protection and temperature regulation. Acting as a shield against external elements, the skin is an integral part of the innate immune system. However, its protective nature also makes the skin highly immunogenic. As a result, traditional skin transplantation methods are complex procedures that have high risks of rejection and can increase susceptibility to infections. These challenges are further amplified by the difficulty in finding and verifying compatible transplants.
In recent years, advances in stem cell research and crafting artificial skin substitutes have shown promising results in wound healing (without the risks of immune rejection). Stem cells possess the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types and are classified based on their potency. By incorporating stem cells into biomaterial polymers, researchers can develop effective skin substitutes, allowing for promising treatment options for patients. This article will review what the skin is, how immune rejection occurs, and what recent advances in stem cells can help patients in the near future.

References

Lopez-Ojeda, Wilfredo, et al. “Anatomy, Skin (Integument).” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441980/.

---. “Skin: Layers, Structure and Function.” Cleveland Clinic, 13 Oct. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/10978-skin.

Yousef, Hani, et al. “Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 14 Nov. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/.

Cleveland Clinic. “Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue): Function & Structure.” Cleveland Clinic, 19 Oct. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21902-hypodermis-subcutaneous-tissue.

Information, National Center for Biotechnology, et al. The Innate and Adaptive Immune Systems. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), 30 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/#:~:text=in%20our%20methods.-.

Immune Deficiency Foundation. “The Immune System and Primary Immunodeficiency | Immune Deficiency Foundation.” Primaryimmune.org, 2016, primaryimmune.org/immune-system-and-primary-immunodeficiency.

“Immune Response: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” Medlineplus.gov, 2022, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm#:~:text=Innate%2C%20or%20nonspecific%2C%20immunity%20is.

---. What Are the Organs of the Immune System? Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), 30 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279395/#:~:text=Primary%20lymphoid%20organs%3A%20These%20organs.

Prohaska, Joseph, and Christopher Cook. “Skin Grafting.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 4 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532874/.

“Skin Grafts for Burn Treatment | Regions Hospital.” Www.healthpartners.com, www.healthpartners.com/care/hospitals/regions/specialties/burn-center/skin-grafting/.

“Tissue Donation Statistics .” Www.utsouthwestern.edu, www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/departments/transplant-services-center/faqs/statistics.html.

Ngan, Vanessa. “Flaps | DermNet NZ.” Dermnetnz.org, 2007, dermnetnz.org/topics/flaps.

“Skin Flap Surgery.” Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Melbourne, rpsmelbourne.com.au/services/melanoma-skin-cancer/skin-flaps/.

Zhou, Junyi, et al. “Fundamental Immunology of Skin Transplantation and Key Strategies for Tolerance Induction.” Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis, vol. 61, no. 5, 18 May 2013, pp. 397–405, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-013-0233-2.

Justiz Vaillant, Angel A., and Michael Mohseni. “Chronic Transplantation Rejection.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535435/#:~:text=Acute%20rejection%20occurs%20days%20or.

Hussain, Yaseen, and Haroon Khan. “Immunosuppressive Drugs.” Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity, 2022, pp. 726–740, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-818731-9.00068-9.

Chen, Ming, et al. “Stem Cells for Skin Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing.” Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, vol. 37, no. 4-5, 2009, pp. 399–421, https://doi.org/10.1615/critrevbiomedeng.v37.i4-5.50.

Hilmi, Abu Bakar Mohd. “Vital Roles of Stem Cells and Biomaterials in Skin Tissue Engineering.” World Journal of Stem Cells, vol. 7, no. 2, 2015, p. 428, https://doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v7.i2.428.

Dash, Biraja C., et al. “Stem Cells and Engineered Scaffolds for Regenerative Wound Healing.” Bioengineering, vol. 5, no. 1, 9 Mar. 2018, p. 23, https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering5010023.

Przekora, Agata. “A Concise Review on Tissue Engineered Artificial Skin Grafts for Chronic Wound Treatment: Can We Reconstruct Functional Skin Tissue in Vitro?” Cells, vol. 9, no. 7, 6 July 2020, p. 1622, https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9071622.

Nicholas, Mathew N., et al. “Methodologies in Creating Skin Substitutes.” Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, vol. 73, no. 18, 6 May 2016, pp. 3453–3472, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2252-8.

Hu, Kuikui, et al. “An Experimental Study on the Repair of Full Skin Loss of Nude Mice with Composite Graft of Epidermal Stem Cells.” Burns, vol. 32, no. 4, 1 June 2006, pp. 416–422, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2005.10.014.

Ju Lin Xie, et al. “A Study of Using Tissue-Engineered Skin Reconstructed by Candidate Epidermal Stem Cells to Cover the Nude Mice with Full-Thickness Skin Defect.” Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, vol. 60, no. 9, 1 Sept. 2007, pp. 983–990, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2005.12.062.

Cherng Kang Perng, et al. “Culturing Adult Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells on Gelatin Scaffold with PNIPAAm as Transplanted Grafts for Skin Regeneration.” Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, vol. 84A, no. 3, 1 Jan. 2008, pp. 622–630, https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.31291.

Downloads

Posted

2023-11-11

Categories