Characterization of pigmented dermo‐epidermal skin substitutes in a long‐term in vivo assay

• DOI: 10.1111/exd.12570
• Publication Date: 2014-10-24T16:27:15Z
• Authors: Sophie Böttcher‐H...; Thomas Biedermann; Agnieszka S. Klar; Daniel S. Widmer; Kathrin Neuhaus; Clemens Schiestl; Martin Meuli; Ernst Reichmann
• Keywords: Melanocyte; Epidermis (zoology); Human skin

In our laboratory, we have been using human pigmented dermo-epidermal skin substitutes for short-term experiments since several years. Little is known, however, about the long-term biology of such constructs after transplantation. We constructed human, melanocyte-containing different (light and dark) pigmentation types studied them in a animal experiment. Developmental maturational stages epidermal dermal compartment as well signs homoeostasis were analysed 15 weeks Keratinocytes, melanocytes fibroblasts from biopsies isolated assembled into substitutes. These transplanted onto immuno-incompetent rats investigated Chromameter evaluation showed consistent colour between 3 4 months Melanocytes resided basal layer physiological numbers melanin accumulated keratinocytes supranuclear position. Skin mature epidermis homoeostatic state presence components Fibrillin Tropoelastin suggested advanced maturation. Overall, show promising development towards achieving near-normal characteristics tissue homoeostasis. particular, function correctly over whilst remaining physiological, position yield resembling original donor colour.