Korean J Dermatol.  1996 Apr;34(2):264-272.

Expression of Epidermal Protein Antigens and Basement Membrane Components in Human Epidermis Reconstructed by Culture

• Cho KH
• Lee DY
• Eun HC
• Park KC
• Youn JI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A number of in vitro skin models have been developed for the purpose of the screening of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental chemicals. To mimic the skin in vivo, a model should resemble morphologically and biochemically the parent, tissue.
OBJECTIVE
The purpos of this study is to study the differentiation and organization of the artificial epidermis in comparsion with epidermis in vivo based on the expression of epidermal protein antigens and basement membrane components.
METHODS
Human keratinocytes were cultured on deepidermidized dermis (RE-DED) or on fibroblast-populated collag-,n matrix (LSE). After 10 days culture, the sections of RE-DED and LSE were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. An immunohistochemical study was also performed with the sections of RE-DED and LSE using antibodies recognizing proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), keratin 1, involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin, keratin 13, type IV collagen, and laminin.
RESULTS
In both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) a multilayered epidermis with a horny layer was observed. In the human epidermis reconstructed by both culture systems, differentiation markers appeared but with a topography slightly different from that of epidermis in vivo, and components of the basement membrane was also expressed.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest the epidermis obtained in both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) resembled in vivo epidermis morphologically and biochemically, although it was not the same.

Keyword

Epidermal protein antigens; Basement membrane components

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Antigens, Differentiation
Basement Membrane*
Collagen Type IV
Dermis
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Epidermis*
Hematoxylin
Humans*
Keratin-1
Keratin-13
Keratinocytes
Laminin
Mass Screening
Parents
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Skin
Antibodies
Antigens, Differentiation
Collagen Type IV
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Hematoxylin
Keratin-1
Keratin-13
Laminin
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor