Thin films of bacterial cellulose (BC) from a nata de coco culture system were developed, characterized, and investigated for the growth of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The average pore diameter and total surface area of the dried BC films estimated by BET were 224 A and 12.62 m(2)/g, respectively. With an film thickness of 0.12 mm, the average tensile strength and break strain of the dried films were 5.21 MPa and 3.75%, whereas those of the wet films were 1.56 MPa and 8.00%, respectively. The water absorption capacity of air-dried film was 5.09 g water/g dried films. For uses in the therapy of skin wounds, the potential biological mechanism of action of BC film was evaluated by using human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Our results were the first direct demonstration that BC film supported the growth, spreading, and migration of human keratinocytes but not those of human fibroblasts. Expressions of E-cadherin and the alpha-3 chain of laminin confirmed the phenotype of human keratinocytes on BC film.