I trapianti di pelle stampati in 3D offrono speranza per il recupero dalle ustioni

Researchers at Linköping University unveiled 3D-printed skin grafts that contain living cells. Their work could one day enable burn victims and those suffering from severe skin injuries to regenerate their lost cells, achieving full recovery.  Here’s how this “skin in a syringe” has the potential to revolutionize burn treatments moving forward.

Perché la rigenerazione della pelle è importante

La pelle è uno degli organi più straordinari del tuo corpo, ma è anche uno dei meno compresi. La tua pelle rappresenta circa il 15 % del peso corporeo totale ed è responsabile di una varietà di funzioni biologiche cruciali. Questi compiti includono la regolazione della temperatura corporea, la protezione degli altri organi e la fornitura di una superficie sicura per percepire la sensazione del tatto.

Aiutare le vittime di ustioni

Data l’importanza della pelle per le funzioni corporee, non sorprende che i ricercatori abbiano dedicato molto tempo a trovare modi per aiutare chi perde o danneggia questo organo. Purtroppo, le ustioni gravi sono uno dei modi più comuni in cui le persone subiscono lesioni cutanee irreparabili. Le ustioni possono distruggere più strati della pelle, lasciando il paziente senza possibilità di una completa guarigione.

Trapianti di pelle

È noto che i trapianti di pelle sono il metodo più comune con cui i professionisti medici cercano di trattare i pazienti che soffrono di perdita epidermica severa. La pratica del trapianto è menzionata in testi già nell’antico Egitto. Tuttavia, la pratica come è conosciuta oggi può essere ricondotta al 1869, quando Jacques‑Louis Reverdin scoprì il metodo che George David Pollock avrebbe poi usato per eseguire la prima operazione di successo nel 1872.

I trapianti di pelle consistono nell’applicare uno strato sottile di cellule sulla zona bruciata. Lo strato trapiantato differisce da quello originale perché contiene un unico tipo cellulare responsabile della ricrescita dell’epidermide, lo strato più esterno della pelle.

Limitazioni dei trapianti di pelle tradizionali

Il problema dei trapianti di pelle così come vengono eseguiti oggi è che si concentrano solo sull’epidermide. Questo approccio può portare alla formazione di tessuto cicatriziale e a tempi di recupero più lunghi. La ragione del tessuto cicatriziale è che il metodo attuale ignora il tessuto dermico danneggiato.

Il derma è uno strato più complesso della pelle che si trova direttamente sotto l’epidermide. Questo strato è composto da nervi, vasi sanguigni, follicoli piliferi e altri componenti vitali della tua pelle. È questo strato che conferisce elasticità e sensazione naturale alla pelle, a differenza del tessuto cicatriziale.

Gli scienziati hanno a lungo tentato di ricreare il derma ma non sono riusciti a realizzare l’obiettivo in laboratorio. Purtroppo, la complessità del derma lo rende praticamente impossibile da duplicare in ambienti di laboratorio. Riconoscendo queste limitazioni, gli ingegneri hanno ideato un approccio più efficace.

Studio sui trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

The Biphasic Granular Bioinks for Biofabrication of High Cell Density Constructs for Dermal Regeneration study¹, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, describes a novel method to approach skin grafts.

This approach combines purpose‑grown cells on gelatin beads with a hyaluronic acid gel to enable the patient to regrow their dermis naturally, eliminating scar tissue and improving recovery results.

Ruolo dei fibroblasti nella rigenerazione della pelle

The engineers began their work by examining which cells help the dermis grow. They noted that the most common cell, fibroblasts, could operate as the catalyst for regrowth. Fibroblasts are a connective tissue offering predictability and accessibility to researchers.

These cells are essential for dermal regeneration for several reasons. Specifically, they produce crucial ECM components, such as elastin and collagen. These components give your skin integrity and hold its structure together. Fibroblast cells offer engineers another major advantage. They can be developed into other types of specialized cells, opening the door for their usage in a variety of procedures moving forward.

Supporto a perle di gelatina

The scientist then needed to figure out what to grow the cells on. They determined that the use of porous gelatin beads would enable the cells to mature properly. The tiny size and flexibility of these gel beads enable them to fit into any shape or form required for treatments. However, they lacked the structure to remain in place once dispensed.

Fonte – Linköping University

Gel a flusso sottilizzante

To achieve this added structure, the engineers mixed the beads with a hyaluronic acid gel. The gel creates a chemical reaction, quickly forming a strong chemical bond. This specialized chemical synthesis is known as click chemistry.

Scientists found that it was ideal because it offers simple and efficient reactions with minimal byproducts or waste. They noted that their new gel creation solidifies when it gets exposed to light pressure, like that received when squeezed through a syringe.

Strutture cutanee stampabili in 3D

This approach opens the door for a variety of applications, ranging from doctors healing wounds with syringes of living skin, all the way to a 3D printer using a special nozzle to help those suffering from catastrophic damage to their dermis.

Test dei trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

The engineers utilized oscillatory rheology and 3D scanning electron micrography to test their theory. As part of the testing phase, lab mice had small  3D-printed pucks surgically placed under the skin. This approach enabled the engineers to monitor the dermis’ regrowth using multiple methods.

Risultati dei test sui trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

The test result fell in line with the engineers’ hopes. The study notes that the ultra‑high cell density biphasic granular bioinks for dermal regeneration integrated better than traditional skin grafts. Additionally, they found that the implant had developed new blood vessels, which is a vital step in regeneration.

Keenly, the implants were monitored for several weeks following the procedure. The engineers found that the fibroblasts remained active in the gel for weeks after printing. This data suggests that the replicated dermis will suffice for long‑term tissue regrowth in burn victims.

Benefici dello studio sui trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

There are many benefits that this study brings to the industry. For one, it opens the door for a deeper understanding of the dermis and its regeneration capabilities. The successful 3D bioprinting of robust self‑supporting structures and cell‑laden constructs for transplantation represents a major milestone for the healthcare sector.

Fabbricazione personalizzata

Another benefit of this study is that it will enable specialists to take cell samples from patients and regrow vital parts of the dermis or other skin cells more accurately. These cells can then be delivered to patients using precise methods like 3D printing, reducing the overall cost of future treatments.

Applicazioni e tempistica per i trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

There are many applications for this technology across the healthcare industry. The primary use will be to help those who suffer from traumatic skin injuries like fire or chemical burns. This study opens the door for full recovery, rather than the current methods that leave lifelong scarring and nerve damage.

Chirurgia estetica

Another application for this technology will be in the cosmetic surgery sector. This technology could be adapted to help provide added collagen and elasticity to skin as it ages. Since it provides a natural way for the dermis to rebuild, it would offer better results than current methods that rely on slowing the results of aging.

Tempistica per l’uso clinico

You can expect to see 3D printed skin grafts become a common practice in the next 10-15 years. There’s still a lot of research to be done on the long‑term effects of this procedure, including testing on human patients. All of these tasks will take years to complete. However, following clinical testing, burn victims could gain access to this game‑changing procedure.

Ricercatori dei trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

The 3D printed skin grafts study was hosted by Linköping University and the Center for Disaster Medicine and Traumatology, located in Sweden. The paper lists Johan Junker, Daniel Aili, Rozalin Shamasha, Sneha Kollenchery Ramanathan, Kristin Oskarsdotter, Fatemeh Rasti Boroojeni, Aleksandra Zielińska, Sajjad Naeimipour, Philip Lifwergren, Nina Reustle, Lauren Roberts, Annika Starkenberg, Gunnar Kratz, Peter Apelgren, Karin Säljö, Jonathan Rakar, and Lars Kölby as contributing to the work.

Financial support for the study came from the Erling‑Persson Foundation, the European Research Council, the Swedish Research Council, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Fonte – Linköping University

Futuro dei trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D

The engineers still have a lot of work to do if they intend to get their skin in a syringe into the markets. According to their paper, the next steps will include testing the technology in a porcine wound model, which should provide valuable insight into the process on human skin.

Interestingly, this work correlates to the team’s other study, which revealed a novel method to form elastic hydrogel threads with 98 percent water content. These tiny tubes could act as artificial blood vessels, which engineers hope could work in tandem with their 3D printed skin to provide full recovery.

Investire in HealthTech

There are multiple firms that continue to work towards creating better skin grafts. These firms have poured lots of funding and effort into R&D with the goal of creating the most durable and lifelike skin grafts possible. Here’s one firm that aims to pioneer graft application and development well into the future.

Avita Medical Inc

Australia-based Avita Medical Inc. (RCEL ) entered the market in 1993 as Clinical Cell Culture (C3). The advanced skin graft researcher was the brainchild of burns specialist Dr. Fiona Wood and engineer Marie Stoner. Their goal was to create ‘spray‑on skin’ technology that would expedite burn victim treatments.

In 2005, Avita Medical received approval to offer its RECELL System to the EU markets. This approval helped the company expand its market positioning. In 2018, the company gained FDA approval in the U.S., marking a major milestone.

Since then, Avita Medical has strengthened its market position in both the EU and the U.S. markets. In 2024, it released several new products, including PermeaDerm and Cohealyx, expanding into biosynthetics and collagen growth platforms.

Ultime notizie e sviluppi azionari di Avita Medical (RCEL)

Trapianti di pelle stampata in 3D | Conclusione

The 3D printed skin grafts study represents a breakthrough in burn victim therapy. This groundbreaking research opens the door for those who suffer from disfiguring burns to make a full recovery. This could also lead to other severely injured patients receiving a second chance at a normal life. For these reasons and many more, this team deserves a standing ovation.

Learn about other Cool Healthtech Here.

Riferimenti:

^{1. R. Shamasha, S. K. Ramanathan, K. Oskarsdotter, F. R. Boroojeni, A. Zielińska, S. Naeimipour, P. Lifwergren, N. Reustle, L. Roberts, A. Starkenberg, G. Kratz, P. Apelgren, K. Säljö, J. Rakar, L. Kölby, D. Aili, J. Junker, Biphasic Granular Bioinks for Biofabrication of High Cell Density Constructs for Dermal Regeneration. Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2025, 2501430. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202501430}