Misato Kuroyanagi and Yoshimitsu Kuroyanagi
Three types of tissue-engineered products have been introduced in this review. The first product is an allogeneic cultured dermal substitute. This product is manufactured by incorporating allogeneic fibroblasts into a spongy sheet of hyaluronic acid and collagen. Allogeneic fibroblasts are rejected gradually in immune system. However, they are able to release some growth factors that are essential for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid and collagen also have a potential to promote wound healing. The clinical study demonstrated that this cultured dermal substitute is useful for the treatment of burns and skin ulcers. The second product is a functional wound dressing. This product is manufactured by freeze-drying an aqueous solution of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and epidermal growth factor. Epidermal growth factor has a potential to promote wound healing by enhancing both keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation, and also by stimulating fibroblasts to synthesize vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor that are essential for angiogenesis. The clinical study demonstrated that this wound dressing is useful for the treatment of burns and skin ulcers. The third product is a skin care product. This product is manufactured by freeze-drying an aqueous solution of hyaluronic acid, collagen, epidermal growth factor, and other ingredients for skin care. The experiment using a culture system demonstrated that this skin care product stimulates fibroblast to synthesize an increased amount of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor. This skin care product is aimed to use for post-treatment of chemical peeling and laser therapy used in aesthetic dermatology.