In Vitro Optimization of Artificial Human Epidermis for 3D Tissue Engineering

In recent times, with the decline of in vivo animal experiments, there has been an increasing demand for the use of relevant in vitro human cell systems in the development of new drugs. Furthermore, the production of artificial tissues and tissue engineering is also gaining an increasingly important role in regenerative medicine. For example, there is a great demand for the replacement of skin tissue in various acute and chronic wounds and burns. On the other hand, these human skin cell-based in vitro systems can also be used to investigate the side effects (toxicity and irritation) and tissue penetration of topical preparations. In this study, exploratory experiments were performed to produce artificial epidermis using two different hydrogel scaffolds, alginate and GelMA C. Amount of keratinocytes added to the matrix and the duration of tissue maturation were optimized. In addition, the behavior and structure of the two epithelial cell-containing hydrogels were functionally and morphologically tested. Finally, it was concluded that the GelMA C matrix provides a more favorable biological environment for cell survival and tissue differentiation. The 3-week incubation and 50M/mL cell number proved to be the most favorable in the given system. In order to use these results in 3D bioprinting, the fabricated artificial epidermis preparations must be optimized also for biocompatibility and from a physical and mechanical point of view.