K. Reimers

Burn-induced organ dysfunction: Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates organ and serum cytokine levels

INTRODUCTIONnThe interaction of the CNS and the immune system is well known. A parasympathetic anti-inflammatory pathway has recently been described. Both electrical and pharmacological parasympathetic stimulation attenuate proinflammatory mediator generation. Burn induces abacterial cytokine generation and we sought to evaluate whether parasympathetic stimulation after experimental burn decreases cardiodepressive mediator generation.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnA 30% TBSA full-thickness rat burn model was used. After microsurgical preparation of the cervical portion of the vagus nerve, we performed electric vagus nerve stimulation. Serum was harvested and organ samples of heart and liver were homogenized. Samples were subjected to sandwich-ELISA specific for TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. Heart rate measurements were done using left ventricular microcatheterization. Statistical analysis was done using Students t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA).nnnRESULTSnBurn induced a significant rise of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in organ homogenates and serum. After cervical vagal electrostimulation, serum and organ homogenate levels of proinflammatory cytokines were markedly reduced compared to burn controls. Left ventricular microcatheter assessment demonstrated no cardiodepressive effect of the vagal stimulation itself.nnnCONCLUSIONnOur results encourage further research regarding the neuroimmunologic background of burn, possibly leading to the development of a novel therapeutic approach to burn-induced organ dysfunction and immunodysregulation.

Innovative Wundtherapie und Hautersatz bei Verbrennungen

ZusammenfassungDie Erfolgsbilanz der modernen Verbrennungstherapie in Spezialzentren beruht neben einer spezialisierten Intensivtherapie vor allem auf einer frühen Hautexzision mit autologem Hautersatz. Die Möglichkeiten der konservativen Wundtherapie haben sich vor allem durch den Einsatz innovativer Externa und des Hautersatzes durch bioartifizielle Hautanaloga beträchtlich erweitert. In diesem Beitrag sollen daher aktuelle und innovative Verfahren der konservativen Wundtherapie sowie des Hautersatzes bei Verbrennungen dargestellt werden.AbstractThe success of modern burn therapy is based mainly on special burn intensive care, topical treatment, early eschar excision, and wound closure by immediate skin grafting or skin substitutes. This paper describes the current state of wound care and skin substitutes in burn therapy.

Innovative wound therapy and skin substitutes for burns

ZusammenfassungDie Erfolgsbilanz der modernen Verbrennungstherapie in Spezialzentren beruht neben einer spezialisierten Intensivtherapie vor allem auf einer frühen Hautexzision mit autologem Hautersatz. Die Möglichkeiten der konservativen Wundtherapie haben sich vor allem durch den Einsatz innovativer Externa und des Hautersatzes durch bioartifizielle Hautanaloga beträchtlich erweitert. In diesem Beitrag sollen daher aktuelle und innovative Verfahren der konservativen Wundtherapie sowie des Hautersatzes bei Verbrennungen dargestellt werden.AbstractThe success of modern burn therapy is based mainly on special burn intensive care, topical treatment, early eschar excision, and wound closure by immediate skin grafting or skin substitutes. This paper describes the current state of wound care and skin substitutes in burn therapy.

Stammzellen aus dem Fettgewebe

While stem cells derived from the bone marrow are well-known in clinical medicine, fatty tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells is still the subject of recent research. However, adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are not only harvested less invasively, i.e. via minimally invasive liposuction, but also yield higher numbers of multipotent stem cells.Due to cell-cell interactions and also because of the very favorable secretion profile of growth factors and cytokines ASCs displayed an extraordinary regenerative potential in recent preclinical and clinical applications and achieved a significantly better healing in ischemic muscle, heart, and brain insults and in impaired wound healing. ASCs enhanced regeneration in skeletal tissues such as cartilage or bone. They also revealed immunomodulatory effects and improved the clinical status in immunological diseases.In conclusion ASCs are comparable to bone marrow-derived stem cells concerning possible applications in clinical medicine.ZusammenfassungWährend Stammzellen aus dem Knochenmark in der Klinik weithin bekannt sind, ist das Fettgewebe als Ressource mesenchymaler Stammzellen bisher eher Gegenstand aktueller Forschung. Diese Fettstammzellen („adipose-derived stem cells“, ASC) können nicht nur durch ein schonenderes Verfahren gewonnen werden, d.xa0h. durch minimal-invasive Liposuktion, sondern die Ausbeute an multipotenten Stammzellen ist auch wesentlich höher.Aufgrund von Zell-Zell-Interaktionen, aber auch durch ihr äußerst günstiges Sekretionsprofil an Wachstumsfaktoren und Zytokinen zeigten Fettstammzellen in bisherigen präklinischen und klinischen Anwendungen ein außerordentliches regeneratives Potenzial. So führten sie in ischämischen Muskel-, Herz- oder Hirninfarkten und in schlecht heilenden Wunden zu einer signifikant besseren Heilung gegenüber der Placebogruppe. Zudem verbesserten sie die Regeneration von Halte- und Stützgeweben wie Knorpel und Knochen. Außerdem wirkten sie immunmodulatorisch und verbesserten deutlich den klinischen Status immunologischer Krankheitsbilder.Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass ASC in Bezug auf den möglichen klinischen Einsatz durchaus mit Knochenmarkstammzellen vergleichbar sind.AbstractWhile stem cells derived from the bone marrow are well-known in clinical medicine, fatty tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells is still the subject of recent research. However, adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are not only harvested less invasively, i.e. via minimally invasive liposuction, but also yield higher numbers of multipotent stem cells.Due to cell-cell interactions and also because of the very favorable secretion profile of growth factors and cytokines ASCs displayed an extraordinary regenerative potential in recent preclinical and clinical applications and achieved a significantly better healing in ischemic muscle, heart, and brain insults and in impaired wound healing. ASCs enhanced regeneration in skeletal tissues such as cartilage or bone. They also revealed immunomodulatory effects and improved the clinical status in immunological diseases.In conclusion ASCs are comparable to bone marrow-derived stem cells concerning possible applications in clinical medicine.

[Stem cells from fatty tissue : A new resource for regenerative medicine?].

While stem cells derived from the bone marrow are well-known in clinical medicine, fatty tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells is still the subject of recent research. However, adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are not only harvested less invasively, i.e. via minimally invasive liposuction, but also yield higher numbers of multipotent stem cells.Due to cell-cell interactions and also because of the very favorable secretion profile of growth factors and cytokines ASCs displayed an extraordinary regenerative potential in recent preclinical and clinical applications and achieved a significantly better healing in ischemic muscle, heart, and brain insults and in impaired wound healing. ASCs enhanced regeneration in skeletal tissues such as cartilage or bone. They also revealed immunomodulatory effects and improved the clinical status in immunological diseases.In conclusion ASCs are comparable to bone marrow-derived stem cells concerning possible applications in clinical medicine.ZusammenfassungWährend Stammzellen aus dem Knochenmark in der Klinik weithin bekannt sind, ist das Fettgewebe als Ressource mesenchymaler Stammzellen bisher eher Gegenstand aktueller Forschung. Diese Fettstammzellen („adipose-derived stem cells“, ASC) können nicht nur durch ein schonenderes Verfahren gewonnen werden, d.xa0h. durch minimal-invasive Liposuktion, sondern die Ausbeute an multipotenten Stammzellen ist auch wesentlich höher.Aufgrund von Zell-Zell-Interaktionen, aber auch durch ihr äußerst günstiges Sekretionsprofil an Wachstumsfaktoren und Zytokinen zeigten Fettstammzellen in bisherigen präklinischen und klinischen Anwendungen ein außerordentliches regeneratives Potenzial. So führten sie in ischämischen Muskel-, Herz- oder Hirninfarkten und in schlecht heilenden Wunden zu einer signifikant besseren Heilung gegenüber der Placebogruppe. Zudem verbesserten sie die Regeneration von Halte- und Stützgeweben wie Knorpel und Knochen. Außerdem wirkten sie immunmodulatorisch und verbesserten deutlich den klinischen Status immunologischer Krankheitsbilder.Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass ASC in Bezug auf den möglichen klinischen Einsatz durchaus mit Knochenmarkstammzellen vergleichbar sind.AbstractWhile stem cells derived from the bone marrow are well-known in clinical medicine, fatty tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells is still the subject of recent research. However, adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are not only harvested less invasively, i.e. via minimally invasive liposuction, but also yield higher numbers of multipotent stem cells.Due to cell-cell interactions and also because of the very favorable secretion profile of growth factors and cytokines ASCs displayed an extraordinary regenerative potential in recent preclinical and clinical applications and achieved a significantly better healing in ischemic muscle, heart, and brain insults and in impaired wound healing. ASCs enhanced regeneration in skeletal tissues such as cartilage or bone. They also revealed immunomodulatory effects and improved the clinical status in immunological diseases.In conclusion ASCs are comparable to bone marrow-derived stem cells concerning possible applications in clinical medicine.

Die Rolle von Erythropoietin bei der Verbesserung der Wundheilung

ZusammenfassungPleiotrope Substanzen sind durch ihr ausgesprochen vielfältiges und komplexes Wirkspektrum charakterisiert und dies macht sie für die Therapie von Wunden attraktiv. Neben seinem bekannten Effekt der Steigerung der Hämatopoese konnte das Glykoproteinhormon Erythropoietin (EPO) in diversen anderen Organen eine deutliche Gewebeprotektion aufzeigen. Der Einsatz von EPO im Rahmen von Regenerationsprozessen der Haut basiert hier wahrscheinlich im Wesentlichen auf seiner zytoprotektiven, proangiogenen, antiapoptotischen sowie antiinflammatorischen Wirksamkeit. Hier kann EPO durch eine niedrigdosierte bzw. einmalige Applikation die strukturelle und koordinierte Interaktion verschiendener Zelltypen untereinander stimulieren. Diese Übersichtsarbeit soll die Vor- und Nachteile einer EPO-Gabe im Rahmen verschiedener Heilungs- und Regenerationsvorgänge der Haut aus der experimentellen Forschung beleuchten und mögliche klinische Anwendungen diskutieren.AbstractPleiotropic substances are characterized by their versatile and complex range of actions which makes them potential new active agents for the therapy of wounds. Besides its known effect to increase red blood cell production, the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) has been found to demonstrate a tissue protective effect in several other organs. The administration of EPO during skin wound healing is most likely essentially based on its cytopotective, proangiogenic, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory effects. Herein EPO stimulates a coordinated interaction of different types of cells at a low or only a single dose. This review article aims to present the advantages and disadvantages of EPO administration in different experimental models to study the healing and regeneration processes of the skin and discusses possible clinical applications.Pleiotropic substances are characterized by their versatile and complex range of actions which makes them potential new active agents for the therapy of wounds. Besides its known effect to increase red blood cell production, the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) has been found to demonstrate a tissue protective effect in several other organs. The administration of EPO during skin wound healing is most likely essentially based on its cytopotective, proangiogenic, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory effects. Herein EPO stimulates a coordinated interaction of different types of cells at a low or only a single dose. This review article aims to present the advantages and disadvantages of EPO administration in different experimental models to study the healing and regeneration processes of the skin and discusses possible clinical applications.

Regenerative Therapieansätze in der plastischen Chirurgie@@@Regenerative therapy approaches in plastic surgery

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDie Regeneration von durch Trauma oder Krankheit verloren gegangenem Gewebe stellt das Ideal gegenüber der Reparation, bei der an einer anderen Stelle des Körpers ein Hebedefekt entsteht, dar. Durch ein verbessertes Verständnis der zell- und molekularbiologischen Grundlagen der Heilung haben sich in den letzten Jahren verschiedene regenerative Therapieansätze entwickelt.Ziel der ArbeitEs soll eine beispielhafte Darstellung aktueller regenerativer Therapieansätze und deren Wirkung sowie klinische Anwendung erfolgen.Material und MethodenDie Datenbank PubMed wurde nach regenerativen Ansätzen in der plastischen Chirurgie durchsucht und verschiedene Verfahren werden dargestellt.ErgebnisseInsbesondere zellbasierte Ansätze, bei denen bevorzugt autologe mesenchymale Stammzellen aus dem Fettgewebe eingesetzt werden, zeigen hervorragende Heilerfolge mit minimalem Hebedefekt. Doch auch wachstumsfaktorbasierte Ansätze oder die Verwendung von thrombozytenreichem Plasma führen zu außerordentlich guten Ergebnissen im Bereich der Wund- oder Knochenheilung.DiskussionDurch Einbringen verschiedener Zellen oder Moleküle lassen sich unter Ausnutzung biologischer Mechanismen die regenerativen Fähigkeiten des adulten Organismus verbessern. Nicht nur in der rekonstruktiven, sondern auch in der ästhetischen Chirurgie finden viele Verfahren bereits klinische Anwendung. Doch sollten die Erfolge nicht über das potenzielle Risiko, das sowohl zell- als auch wachstumsfaktorbasierten Ansätzen zu eigen ist, hinwegtäuschen und solche Therapieverfahren bis zum Vorliegen von Langzeiterfahrungen sorgfältig indiziert werden.AbstractBackgroundThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.ObjectivesTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.Material and methodsThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.ResultsCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing. DiscussionBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.BACKGROUNDnThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.nnnRESULTSnCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing.nnnDISCUSSIONnBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.

Regenerative therapy approaches in plastic surgery

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDie Regeneration von durch Trauma oder Krankheit verloren gegangenem Gewebe stellt das Ideal gegenüber der Reparation, bei der an einer anderen Stelle des Körpers ein Hebedefekt entsteht, dar. Durch ein verbessertes Verständnis der zell- und molekularbiologischen Grundlagen der Heilung haben sich in den letzten Jahren verschiedene regenerative Therapieansätze entwickelt.Ziel der ArbeitEs soll eine beispielhafte Darstellung aktueller regenerativer Therapieansätze und deren Wirkung sowie klinische Anwendung erfolgen.Material und MethodenDie Datenbank PubMed wurde nach regenerativen Ansätzen in der plastischen Chirurgie durchsucht und verschiedene Verfahren werden dargestellt.ErgebnisseInsbesondere zellbasierte Ansätze, bei denen bevorzugt autologe mesenchymale Stammzellen aus dem Fettgewebe eingesetzt werden, zeigen hervorragende Heilerfolge mit minimalem Hebedefekt. Doch auch wachstumsfaktorbasierte Ansätze oder die Verwendung von thrombozytenreichem Plasma führen zu außerordentlich guten Ergebnissen im Bereich der Wund- oder Knochenheilung.DiskussionDurch Einbringen verschiedener Zellen oder Moleküle lassen sich unter Ausnutzung biologischer Mechanismen die regenerativen Fähigkeiten des adulten Organismus verbessern. Nicht nur in der rekonstruktiven, sondern auch in der ästhetischen Chirurgie finden viele Verfahren bereits klinische Anwendung. Doch sollten die Erfolge nicht über das potenzielle Risiko, das sowohl zell- als auch wachstumsfaktorbasierten Ansätzen zu eigen ist, hinwegtäuschen und solche Therapieverfahren bis zum Vorliegen von Langzeiterfahrungen sorgfältig indiziert werden.AbstractBackgroundThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.ObjectivesTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.Material and methodsThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.ResultsCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing. DiscussionBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.BACKGROUNDnThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.nnnRESULTSnCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing.nnnDISCUSSIONnBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.

Regenerative Therapieansätze in der plastischen Chirurgie

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDie Regeneration von durch Trauma oder Krankheit verloren gegangenem Gewebe stellt das Ideal gegenüber der Reparation, bei der an einer anderen Stelle des Körpers ein Hebedefekt entsteht, dar. Durch ein verbessertes Verständnis der zell- und molekularbiologischen Grundlagen der Heilung haben sich in den letzten Jahren verschiedene regenerative Therapieansätze entwickelt.Ziel der ArbeitEs soll eine beispielhafte Darstellung aktueller regenerativer Therapieansätze und deren Wirkung sowie klinische Anwendung erfolgen.Material und MethodenDie Datenbank PubMed wurde nach regenerativen Ansätzen in der plastischen Chirurgie durchsucht und verschiedene Verfahren werden dargestellt.ErgebnisseInsbesondere zellbasierte Ansätze, bei denen bevorzugt autologe mesenchymale Stammzellen aus dem Fettgewebe eingesetzt werden, zeigen hervorragende Heilerfolge mit minimalem Hebedefekt. Doch auch wachstumsfaktorbasierte Ansätze oder die Verwendung von thrombozytenreichem Plasma führen zu außerordentlich guten Ergebnissen im Bereich der Wund- oder Knochenheilung.DiskussionDurch Einbringen verschiedener Zellen oder Moleküle lassen sich unter Ausnutzung biologischer Mechanismen die regenerativen Fähigkeiten des adulten Organismus verbessern. Nicht nur in der rekonstruktiven, sondern auch in der ästhetischen Chirurgie finden viele Verfahren bereits klinische Anwendung. Doch sollten die Erfolge nicht über das potenzielle Risiko, das sowohl zell- als auch wachstumsfaktorbasierten Ansätzen zu eigen ist, hinwegtäuschen und solche Therapieverfahren bis zum Vorliegen von Langzeiterfahrungen sorgfältig indiziert werden.AbstractBackgroundThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.ObjectivesTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.Material and methodsThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.ResultsCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing. DiscussionBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.BACKGROUNDnThe regeneration of tissue lost due to trauma or disease is considered as being ideal for reconstruction with respect to repair in which a donor defect arises in a different part of the body. Through a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of healing, possibilities for regenerative therapies have been developed in recent years.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo give an exemplary representation of current regenerative therapy approaches and their effect and clinical application.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnThe PubMed database was searched for different regenerative approaches in plastic surgery and various methods are presented in this article.nnnRESULTSnCell-based approaches, in which autologous mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue are preferably used, led to excellent healing results with minimal donor site morbidity. Likewise, growth factor-based approaches or the use of platelet-rich plasma achieve very good results in the field of wound and bone healing.nnnDISCUSSIONnBy using different cells or molecules and thus taking advantage of biological mechanisms, the regenerative capabilities of adult organisms could be improved. Many methods have already been implemented in clinical practice, not only in reconstructive but also in aesthetic surgery. However, the success should not conceal the potential risk that is inherent in both cell and growth factor-based approaches. Until long-term experiences of such therapies have been acquired, they should be used cautiously.

Kultivierung verschiedener Zelllinien auf einer Spinnenseidematrix als Hautäquivalent

Background: The development of new innovative materials for wound dressing able to promote healing processes and to repress overwhelming scarring is an important aim in Plastic Surgery. The major ampullate silk fibre (MAS) is the dragline fibre from the spider Nephila clavipes (golden orb web spider) which is described in detail in the literature. The fibre has different excellent properties like high elongation and toughness; it is temperature resistant from –180 up to +230 °C and does provoke little immune response. We constructed a 3-dimensional spider silk matrix for culturing different skin cell lines to establish an organotypic skin equivalent. From our data we postulate, that spider dragline silk fibres frm Nephila clavipes can be used as an innovative biomaterial in biomedical applications. Materials and Methods: Spider MAS fibres were woven in cross patterns on self made stainless steel frames. Frames were seeded with fibroblasts and cultivated submerged. To obtain the next cell layer with keratinocytes, frames were placed into a new well on a self made silicon scale. Frames were cultured at the air-liquid interface from now on. Basal media with different specific supplements were tested for their specific influence on epithelialization. After the appropriate culturing period frames were fixed with 4 % fomaline for histological analysis. Conclusion: This is the first time that spider silk fibres were used as a matrix for generating an artificial skin equivalent. Cells were vital for several weeks and orientated on the spider silk matrix into a histologically structured skin equivalent.