• Juergen Schlabe, Christa Johnen, Ruth Schwartlander, Viola Moser, Bernd Hartmann, Jörg C Gerlach, and Markus V Küntscher.
• Charité, Campus Virchow-Clinic, Department of Surgery, University Medicine, Berlin, Germany. juergen_schlabe@t-online.de
• Burns. 2008 May 1; 34 (3): 376-84.

BackgroundPrevious studies demonstrated, that cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) can be isolated and skin cell sprays can be produced for application on different types of wounds. The purpose of the present study was to determine which cell types can be isolated from the human scalp and whether these cells can be used for spray transplantation.MethodsOuter root sheath cells (ORS), keratinocytes, melanocytes, dermal papilla cells (DP), and dermal sheath cells (DSC) were isolated from human scalp tissue. Isolated cells were characterized, expanded and sprayed in an in vitro model. Growth behaviour, morphology and cell counts were compared with non-sprayed cells.ResultsWith acceptable time, equipment and laboratory personnel a sufficient amount of keratinocytes, ORS, melanocytes, DP cells and DSC cells could be achieved. The cells are sufficient for application as a cell spray. Cells, positive for Integrin alpha6, Cytokeratin 19, CD73 and CD105 were identified within the cultures.ConclusionsHuman scalp is suitable to gain epidermal and dermal cells for the development of therapeutic cell spray transplantation. Further studies have to determine, whether these cells can be combined to produce wound specific skin substitutes.

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