An investigation into the potential of extracellular matrix factors for attachment and proliferation of human keratinocytes on skin substitutes

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the potential of commercially available extracellular matrix proteins, as enhancers of human keratinocyte attachment and proliferation, with a view to their incorporation into a skin equivalent. The following substrates were studied: type I and type IV collagen, fibronectin, gelatin and laminin. Human keratinocytes were cultured in low-calcium, serum-free medium. The number of cells attached to each substrate, observed under phase-contrast inverted microscopy in randomly selected fields of view, were counted 2 h afterseeding. Measurements of growth rate and colony-forming efficiency were made at 24-h intervals. None of the substrates tested were found to have an effect significant enough to warrant further investigation or inclusion into skin equivalent.