Inactivation of Human Nevus Tissue Using High Hydrostatic Pressure for Autologous Skin Reconstruction: A Novel Treatment for Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

Tissue Eng Part C Methods. 2015 Nov;21(11):1178-87. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2015.0054. Epub 2015 Aug 21.

Abstract

Giant congenital melanocytic nevi are intractable lesions associated with a risk of melanoma. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology is a safe physical method for producing decellularized tissues without chemicals. We have reported that HHP can inactivate cells present in various tissues without damaging the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The objectives of this study were to inactivate human nevus tissue using HHP and to explore the possibility of reconstructing skin using inactivated nevus in combination with cultured epidermis (CE). Human nevus specimens 8 mm in diameter were pressurized by HHP at 100, 200, 500, and 1000 MPa for 10 min. The viability of specimens just after HHP, outgrowth of cells, and viability after cultivation were evaluated to confirm the inactivation by HHP. Histological evaluation using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen was performed to detect damage to the ECM of the nevus. The pressurized nevus was implanted into the subcutis of nude mice for 6 months to evaluate the retention of human cells. Then, human CE was applied on the pressurized nevus and implanted into the subcutis of nude mice. The viability of pressurized nevus was not detected just after HHP and after cultivation, and outgrowth of fibroblasts was not observed in the 200, 500, and 1000 MPa groups. Human cells were not observed after 6 months of implantation in these groups. No apparent damage to the ECM was detected in all groups; however, CE took on nevus in the 200 and 500 MPa groups, but not in the 1000 MPa group. These results indicate that human nevus tissue was inactivated by HHP at more than 200 MPa; however, HHP at 1000 MPa might cause damage that prevents the take of CE. In conclusion, all cells in nevus specimens were inactivated after HHP at more than 200 MPa and this inactivated nevus could be used as autologous dermis for covering full-thickness skin defects after nevus removal. HHP between 200 and 500 MPa will be optimal to reconstruct skin in combination with cultured epidermal autograft without damage to the ECM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type IV / metabolism
  • Epidermis / pathology
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Humans
  • Hydrostatic Pressure*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Nevus, Pigmented / therapy*
  • Prosthesis Implantation
  • Regeneration*
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tissue Survival
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Collagen Type IV

Supplementary concepts

  • Melanocytic nevus syndrome, congenital