Regeneration of epidermis by cells grown in tissue culture.

Pig epidermal cells were grown in vitro for 21 to 180 days, forming multilayered sheets of epidermis varying from thirteen to forty layers. For an evaluation of their use in wound coverage, they were transplanted onto surgically prepared full-thickness wound beds on domestic swine. Autologous epidermal cells were studied on twenty-five of the animals, and allogeneic epidermal cells were studied on thirteen. Autologous epidermal cells grown in vitro provided functional wound coverage 10 to 15 days post transplantation and inhibited scar formation. Allogeneic epidermal cells "melted" 15 days post transplantation. There was a 7-day prolongation of allograft survival with cultured, as compared with noncultured, epidermal allografts. Results obtained are related to other advances made in this field.