Stem Cell Applications in Skin Tissue Engineering
Summary
Skin tissue engineering harnesses the regenerative potential of stem cells to restore form and function to damaged or diseased skin. Pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells can be directed to form keratinocytes and fibroblasts within three-dimensional constructs. Such cell-laden constructs replicate the multilayered architecture of epidermis and dermis, and encourage vascular in-growth through paracrine signalling. Advances in biomaterials science have yielded biodegradable scaffolds—ranging from plasma-based hydrogels to collagen sponges—that support cell survival, guide differentiation and mimic the extracellular matrix. Microfabrication techniques now enable the recreation of basement-membrane undulations, fostering stem cell niches and enhancing interfacial adhesion. By combining optimised culture conditions—such as air–liquid interface systems—with bioactive factors, researchers achieve stratified epithelia and robust barrier function. These engineered skin equivalents hold promise not only for wound repair and grafting in burn victims and chronic ulcers, but also as platforms for drug screening and disease modelling. Continued integration of stem cell biology, scaffold design and microenvironmental control will accelerate translation into safe, effective therapies for global healthcare needs.
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Stem Cell Applications in Skin Tissue Engineering publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in stem cell applications in skin tissue engineering across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Scaffold: A three-dimensional biomaterial framework that supports cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation.
Air–liquid interface (ALI): A culture method in which cells grow on a permeable substrate with the medium below and air above, promoting stratification.
Keratinocyte: The predominant epidermal cell type responsible for forming the skin’s outer barrier.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC): A multipotent adult stem cell capable of differentiating into cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes and fibroblasts.
Adipose-derived stem cell (ASC): A type of MSC isolated from fat tissue that can transdifferentiate into keratinocyte-like cells under appropriate conditions.
Extracellular matrix (ECM): The complex network of proteins and polysaccharides surrounding cells, providing structural support and signalling cues.
References
- Biological properties and characterization of several variations of a clinical human plasma-based skin substitute model and its manufacturing process. Regenerative Biomaterials (2024).
- Epithelial differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) undergoing three-dimensional (3D) cultivation with collagen sponge scaffold (CSS) via an indirect co-culture strategy. Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2020).
- A methodology for the production of microfabricated electrospun membranes for the creation of new skin regeneration models. Journal of Tissue Engineering (2018).
- The Importance of Mimicking Dermal-Epidermal Junction for Skin Tissue Engineering: A Review. Bioengineering (2021).
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