RT Journal Article ID 097e8bf01f552566 A1 Chen, Ming A1 Przyborowski, Melissa A1 Berthiaume, Francois T1 Stem Cells for Skin Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing JF Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering JO CRB YR 2009 FD 2010-04-30 VO 37 IS 4-5 SP 399 OP 421 K1 stem cells K1 wound healing K1 skin tissue engineering K1 skin appendages AB The tremendous ability of the skin's epidermis to regenerate is due to the presence of epidermal stem cells that continuously produce keratinocytes, which undergo terminal differentiation to a keratinized layer that provides the skin's barrier properties. The ability to control this process in vitro has made it possible to develop various types of tissue-engineered skin grafts, some of which are among the first tissue-engineered products to ever reach the market. In the past 30 years, these products have been applied with some success to the treatment of chronic skin wounds such as diabetic and venous ulcers and deep, acute wounds such as burns. Current technologies remain partially effective in their ability to restore other skin structures, for example, the dermis, which is critical to the overall long-term appearance and function of the skin. As yet, none of these approaches can regenerate skin appendages (e.g. hair follicles and sweat glands). The use of earlier progenitor and stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, is gaining interest in the attempt to overcome such limitations. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that "adult" stem cells, which are present in the circulation, target areas of injury and likely participate in the wound-healing process. In this paper, we start with an overview of the wound-healing process and current methods used for wound treatment, both conventional and tissue-engineering based. We then review current research on the various types of stem cells used for skin tissue engineering and wound healing, and provide future directions. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/4b27cbfc562e21b8,00f1eff12a65576b,097e8bf01f552566.html