Multilayer skin or dermal equivalent having a layer containing mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

A multilayer skin equivalent is formed having a scaffold layer containing dermis-forming cells, and a keratinocyte layer. The dermis-forming cells and keratinocytes are preferably autologous, and the dermis-forming cells can be human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), dermal fibroblasts (e.g., papillary or reticular dermal fibroblasts) or mixtures thereof. The scaffold is preferably type I collagen alone, or types I and II collagen in combination. Also formed is a multilayer skin equivalent having a scaffold layer containing a layer of extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts in laminar relationship with a layer of extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts, and a keratinocyte layer. A multilayer dermal equivalent is provided having a layer of extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer of extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermis-forming cells. In another embodiment, the dermal equivalent has a layer containing MSCs and a layer selected from a layer of extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer of extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermis-forming cells, and optionally a keratinocyte layer. In the skin and dermal equivalents, at least one layer may contain an agent that promotes adhesion or angiogenesis. Also present may be a bioactive agent that enhances proliferation, commitment or differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into dermal components, either in vitro or in vivo. An injectionable composition is also provided containing dermis-forming cells and an extracellular matrix component in a pharmaceutically acceptable injectable carrier.