Objectives: The LabMCT of the Queen Astrid Military Hospital produces keratinocyte sheets used to stimulate burn wound healing. Two growth supplements (S7 and S125 from Gibco, Ghent, Belgium) were used in the culture medium for the production of human keratinocyte sheets. The aim of this study was to evaluate by means of LC-OCT and histology if the resulting sheets from keratinocyte cultures with S7 or S125 were comparable.
Methods: Neonatal foreskin keratinocytes were cultured according to the standard operating procedure at the Queen Astrid Military Hospital in Brussels. During expansion phase, two culture mediums were prepared with either S7 or S125 growth supplements. The resulting keratinocyte sheets were cryopreserved at <-135°C. For the LC-OCT and histological evaluation, the sheets were defrosted at room temperature and samples of about 1 cm² were cut at different locations on the sheets. These samples were then blindly evaluated with LC-OCT (DAMAE MEDICAL [Paris, France]; 1µM of resolution) and histology. The criteria for evaluation were presence of holes within the sheet (dyscohesion), visualization of individual nuclei, nuclei size and sheet thickness.
Results: Concerning qualitative measures, keratinocytes were well observed in the different samples and did not present dyscohesion. Keratinocytes’ nuclei could be distinguished in all samples. Their shape and size were comparable between the two different treatments (no signs of nuclear pleomorphism) except for some rare big nuclei (10 µm) that could be observed in both sheets. About quantitative measures, sample thickness varied between 8 and 20 µm.
Conclusion: By LC-OCT and histology no qualitative or quantitative difference was observed between the two treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of keratinocyte sheets with LC-OCT. LC-OCT was able to evaluate the three-dimensional architecture of the sheets. We can conclude that, with the methods used, there were no observable differences between both supplement cultures.

P.013 Comparison of two growth supplements for the production of human Keratinocyte sheets

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre