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Article: Engineered skin cells combat infections.(Tissue engineering)(University of Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Article from:
- Chemistry and Industry
- Article date:
- January 29, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Society of Chemical Industry. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Burns victims could soon receive genetically engineered cultures of their own skin cells to help them fight infection.
US scientists at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio genetically engineered skin cells to increase the production of a small antibacterial peptide called human beta defensin 4 (HBD4). HBD4 is normally produced in skin cells at low levels. The engineered skin cells were 29% more resistant to infection by Pseudornonas aeruginosa than normal cells--an opportunistic human pathogen (Journal of Burn Care 6 Research 2007, 25, 127). Patients with burns are particularly susceptible to bacterial infection because of their open wounds.
Lead author, ...