Celia Sofia Salazar Silva (Halle a. d. Saale, DE), Tobias Hedtke (Halle a. d. Saale, DE), Dr. Christian Schmelzer (Halle a. d. Saale, DE), Dr. Andrea Friedmann (Halle a. d. Saale, DE), Werner Petzhold (Halle a. d. Saale, DE), Anne Wartenburger (Halle a. d. Saale, DE)
Abstract text (incl. figure legends and references)
Introduction: The extracellular matrix (ECM), an intricate network of fibrous structural proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and glycoconjugates, supports cells in tissues all over the body, including the skin, by offering structural and functional support. A collagen and elastin composite hydrogel can successfully simulate the ECM in the skin. It can provide support and flexibility required to replicate the mechanical qualities of natural skin tissue. The hydrogel may also store growth factors and other signaling molecules vital for cell growth and tissue development. Optimizing the biomaterial composition for optimal cell survival in the epidermis and dermis is essential to mimic physiologically significant characteristics of human skin.
Objectives: To generate a cost-effective, standardizable, and ethical in vitro bioengineered skin substitutes to study cutaneous wound healing processes. To produce the three-dimensional skin, an innovative composite hydrogel bioink composed of collagen and a novel methacrylated elastin ELMA were printed layer-by-layer, resulting in two distinct cell layers of inner fibroblast and outer keratinocytes
Methods: Bioprited scaffolds with 90% w/v GelMA and 10% w/v ELMA mixed with fibroblasts and keratinocytes cell densities of 1 x 107 cells/mL. The co-culture was liquid air-lifted for epidermal differentiation. The collected samples were immediately fixed for further processing.
Results: The bioprinted composite hydrogel in vitro skin can resemble natural skin in terms of its structure, composition, and function.
Conclusion: This study expands the cell-laden biomaterial from a combination of collagen and elastin that can mimic the mechanical qualities of the skin's natural ECM while simultaneously offering a favorable environment for skin cells to organize and grow. The collagen and elastin hybrid cell-laden in vitro skin provides a valuable tool for testing new drugs and cosmetics without the need for animal testing.