An in vivo model for epithelialization kinetics in human skin.

Epithelialization of wounds has been difficult to measure objectively due to the lack of an adequate model. This paper presents a model for the investigation of epithelialization kinetics in human skin using athymic (nude) rats as an in vivo vehicle. Nude rats are T-cell depleted and as such tolerate xenografts. This technique allows an epithelialization rate for a graft to be calculated by plotting the percentage of its designated analysis area to be closed by neoepithelium over time. This model provides a tool whereby the effect of various agents on the epithelialization kinetics of human skin can be objectively and reproducibly examined. This information may be usefully applied to the clinical management of wounds.