We will test and develop a cold-storage solution, Hypothermosol, for the purpose of transporting and storing synthetic human epidermis. Specific Aim I is designed to collect data to convince cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, contract laboratories, and the US military that storing synthetic human epidermis in Hypothermosol can be accomplished without compromising viability, differentiation characteristics, replicative capacities, or water impermeability features. This will be accomplished using the Fluorescent multiple Endpoint Assay, light and electron microscopy, and radioactive labeling with 3H20 and 3H-thymidine. Specific Aim 2 will be dedicated to modifying the current formulation of hypothermosol to improve its capability as a cold-storage solution for human epidermis. We will use the commercially-available human epidermis, EpiDerm, for all studies because (I) preliminary data have already been established with this skin facsimile, (2) data indicate the viability of EpiDerm can not be preserved bv cold storing this tissue in conventional Skin Culture Medium and (3) this skin model is now being distributed to international markets thus necessitating the development of a shipping/storing solution. Phase II of this grant will concentrate on the development of tissue-specific cold-storage solutions for the shipping and storage of human tissue slices for in vitro toxicology.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The development of a hypothermic solution to preserve human skin will aid in the treatment of accident and burn patients. The storage of synthetic skin would be a valuable resource to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries to replace animal "skin-irritation" experimentation and other toxicological research.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
