Dr ILIA BANAKH^1,2, Dr Mostafizur Rahman^1,2, Dr Denese Marks^3,4, Clinical Associate Professor Heather  Cleland^1,2, Dr Shiva Akbarzadeh^1,2

¹Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, ²Victorian Adult Burns Service, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia, ³Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Alexandria, Australia, ⁴Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

Abstract:

Platelet lysate (PL) contains a range of growth factors that are involved in spontaneous wound repair. We hypothesised how PL can be utilised to produce serum-free 3D skin organ culture, containing dermal / epidermal components, for clinical application. Our work showed PL support of short-term (1-2 weeks) fibroblast expansion and keratinocyte stratification plus maturation in a 3D skin organ culture. Basement membrane was formed within 5 days, evident from collagen IV deposition. Expression of growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was measured in PL-expanded fibroblasts, to elucidate the underlying mechanism. We found interleukin-6 (IL-6) and collagen I (Col I) upregulation in PL-expanded fibroblasts, possibly triggered by TGF-β1 in PL. In contrast, the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in fibroblasts was not affected. PL-expanded fibroblasts were phenotypically separated into three subpopulations of CD90+FAP+, CD90+FAP-, and CD90-FAP+, based on CD90 and FAP expression. Data suggested that PL drove expansion of CD90+FAP+ subpopulation, which may have a reduced fibrotic effect, compared to CD90+FAD- once grafted. Our findings support the concept of PL as a safe and effective serum alternative for skin cell therapies and provides a novel approach for bioengineering a serum-free 3D skin organ culture.

Biography:

BSc (Biomed) Honours from Monash University
PhD Immunology from Monash University
2005-2012 Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
2012-2015 Alchemia Oncology
2017-present Victorian Adult Burns Services