Modeling early thermal injury using an ex vivo human skin model of contact burns

Abstract Background Early mechanisms underlying the progressive tissue death and regenerative capability of burn wounds are understudied in human skin. A clinically relevant, reproducible model for wound healing is needed to elucidate early changes environment. This study reports a contact on skin that explores extent injury over time, defines inter-individual variability enable use mechanistic studies progression healing. Methods Using customized device, burns various depths were created by two operators evaluated histologic depth three raters determine reproducibility. also histologically after thermally injured was cultured ex vivo up 14 days. Results Burn reproducibly generated temperature- or time-dependent manner. No significant difference operator-created rater-determined observed within each patient sample. However, variation identified ten samples. Burn-injured placed into culture demonstrated differential cell collagen denaturation high low temperature burns, while re-epithelialization superficial period Conclusion represents an invaluable tool evaluate complement current animal models enhance translation preclinical research improvements care.