Spray Gun Shoots Adult Stem Cells Onto Wound

Family Research Council ^ | 07.09.08

[Coleus]

Spray Gun Shoots Adult Stem Cells Onto Wound

One goal of the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine is a way to quickly seal battlefield wounds and promote more rapid healing. One method already being tested is a skin spray gun; it sprays skin stem cells onto a wound. The technique also utilizes an innovative wound dressing that acts as a bioreactor, nurturing the sprayed-on cells. The method, which uses the patient's own cells, has already been successfully tested on 16 burn patients at the Berlin Burn Center, providing faster and more efficient healing than typical skin grafts. The patient's own pigment cells were included in the mix, so the new skin appeared natural.

[Coleus]

Spraying Stem Cells Heals Skin Faster

 

A futuristic spray gun, similar in concept to an inkjet printer, sprays new infused skin onto a wound, essentially speeding up the healing process to a matter of hours.  Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (Winston-Salem, NC, USA), the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (MIRM, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and other institutions forming part of the U.S. Armed Forces Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) are developing a handheld spray gun that spurts a thin layer of keratinocytes (immature skin cells) over deep skin wounds. The keratinocytes, harvested from the patient, are stored in cartridges along with a mix of growth factors and special nutrients; after being sprayed on the wound, they then “print” layers of skin tissue directly onto the wounds. The other essential part of the process is an innovative wound dressing; enmeshed in what looks like a traditional dressing is in reality a bioreactor; tubes extend from each end of the dressing, one doing the work of an artery, the other of a vein. When connected to an artificial vascular system the bioreactor bandage distributes glucose, sugar, amino acids, antibiotics, and electrolytes to the treated area. It cleans the wound, provides nutrition, and better supports the stem cells in the wound until they start to grow and regenerate new skin for the patient.

The procedure has been performed successfully at the Berlin Burn Center (Germany) where in a clinical test of the spray gun on 16 burn patients excellent healing was achieved after one to three weeks. In over a period of up to six weeks, the cells grew into functional skin, including dermis, epidermis, and blood vessels; and because the patient's own pigment cells were included in the mix, the new skin appeared natural. The conventional approach of grafting, in comparison, takes just as long but requires three times as much skin and often results in patchwork scarring.

“What we're doing is taking the cells, isolating them, and, in the same procedure on the same day, we're putting the cells onto the wound,” said the cell-spraying device developer Jorg Gerlach, M.D., Ph.D., of MIRM. “The progenitor cells can act immediately. The most critical cells are present, and we are using those cells right away from the patient. We just need to take care that we are distributing the cells nicely over the wound.”  AFIRM has multiple research teams working in several fields, including burn repair, wound healing without scarring, craniofacial reconstruction, limb reconstruction, regeneration or transplantation, and compartment syndrome, a condition related to inflammation after surgery or injury that can lead to increased pressure, impaired blood flow, nerve damage, and muscle death.

Related Links:
	Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
	McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
	Berlin Burn Center

 

[messierhunter]

I see Wake Forest was involved. They always seem to be at the cutting edge of medical research. They have an amazing colony of mice that are completely immune to virtually all mouse cancers, even hyper-aggressive strains that should kill the mouse. With regards to this research I wonder how they harvest enough keratinocytes from the patient in time for the technique to be useful? I assume they grow samples up in vitro before reapplication.

[denydenydeny]

It’s so predictable. Had this been an article from the MSM reporting this development, I would bet my life that the word “adult” would somehow magically be missing from the story.

[autumnraine]

Wow, two amazing stem cell articles in a row!

I wonder how this would help diabetics who have wound healing issues.

[fightinJAG]

I believe you are the keeper of the diabetes ping list?

Although this article is not about diabetes per se, this treatment could be a lifesaver in situations where diabetic ulcers are not healing, etc.

If you think it fits the list, pass it on, please.

[Little Pig]

The heck with healing ulcers. Stem cells hold significant promise as a way to force the pancreas to produce insulin.

[neverdem]

I believe you are the keeper of the diabetes ping list?

Although this article is not about diabetes per se, this treatment could be a lifesaver in situations where diabetic ulcers are not healing, etc.

Good catch! I'm a science junky with a number of lists. Health & science gets them all except some state specific lists. FReepmail me if you want on or off the stem cell or diabetes ping lists.

[airborne]

This technique could have wide ranging possibilities for many different situations!

Ingenious use of adult stem cells!

[Global2010]

Thanks for the pings.

I enjoy the thought provoking articles you post and how you have running links now to other like subject matter.

Good Stuff.

[Global2010]

And maybe for skin breakdown in those who are at risk such as quadroplegics with aging skin care needs. Or something like that.

[neverdem]

You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.