De novo synthesis of human dermis in vitro in the absence of a three-dimensional scaffold.

Neonatal human dermal fibroblasts cultured in vitro synthesize an organized and physically substantial three-dimensional extracellular matrix, without the addition of exogenous matrix components or synthetic scaffolds. De novo matrix synthesis proceeds in an orderly manner over a 21-d culture period and beyond. Analysis of the fibroblast phenotype, i.e., matrix synthesis by the fibroblasts, suggests that both serum and serum-free conditions are conducive to the production of a human tissue-engineered "dermal equivalent". We report that given the appropriate permissive environment, the fibroblasts establish and grow a tissue in vitro, which bears striking biochemical and physical resemblance to normal human dermis.