2D and 3D structural study of rete ridge in oral mucosa and skin paddle of various free flaps

ABSTRACT

OBJECTS With the advancement of tissue engineering techniques, the effort to develop bioartificial mucosa have been actively delivered. The problem we met with this technique is the lack of mechanical strength between kerationocyte layer and dermal layer, where in the normal skin and mucosa, they are tightly bound with rete ridge structure. The purpose of this study is to understand the 2D and 3D structure of rete ridge of mucosa and skin paddle for rendering more biomimetic structure to the artificial mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral mucosa and skin from the patients who received the oral surgery and maxillofacial reconstruction were harvested. The epidermis was separated from the dermis after treating with dispase for 12-16 hours. H and E staining was performed for 2D(dimensional) structure study and confocal LASER and SEM study were performed for 3D structure. Mean height(Sc) and arithmetic mean deviation(Sa) of all surface height were calculated. RESULTS: The average height of rete ridge of skin flap was between 67.14micrometer and 194.55micrometer. That of oral mucosa was between 146.26micrometer and 167.51micrometer. Pressure bearing area and attached gingiva of oral mucosa showed deeper rete ridges. CONCLUSION: To obtain the adequate strength of artificially cultured keratinocyte skin and mucosa flap, it is necessary to imitate the original skin and mucosa structure, especially rete ridge. Through this study, 2D and 3D rete ridge structure of normal mucosa and skin was obtained. These results can be used as basis for substrate morphology for keratinocytes culture.