In vitro keratinocyte expansion for cell transplantation therapy is associated with differentiation and loss of basal layer derived progenitor population

An alternative approach for traditional clinical mesh grafting in burn wound treatment is the use of expanded autologous keratinocytes in suspension or sheets that are cultured over 2–4 weeks in a remote service facility. While a wound reepithelialization has been described, the functional and aesthetic outcome is under debate. Cell isolation from split-skin donor tissue aims to preserve the valuable stem cell progenitors from the basal epidermal layer and to provide patients with a rapid wound reepithelialization and a satisfying outcome.