Korean J Phys Anthropol.  1998 Dec;11(2):247-260.

Reconstruction of Artificial Skin In Vitro

• Song IH

Abstract

Artificial skin can be employed as a useful model for investigating skin disease and clinical application such as burn. To evaluate this, the skin was reconstructed by culturing keratinocytes in airfluid interface over the collagen lattice and ultrastructures was also investigated by electron microscope. Epidermis showed more than 10 layers including basal, spinous, granular and honey layers but basement membrane and anchoring fibrils were not formed at the dermoepidermal junction. Desmosomes were formed at cell junctions but reduced in number. Intermediate filaments were scarce and fine, especially at the spinosal layer. Keratohyalin granules were smaller and fewer than those of in vivo. Parakeratosis was observed at the honey layer. It was, therefore, concluded that the artificial skin could be a valuable experimental model although the differentiation process of keratinocytes was somewhat unstable.

Keyword

Artificial skin; Electron microscope; Collagen lattice; Keratinocyte; Cell culture

MeSH Terms

Basement Membrane
Burns
Cell Culture Techniques
Collagen
Desmosomes
Epidermis
Honey
Intercellular Junctions
Intermediate Filaments
Keratinocytes
Models, Theoretical
Parakeratosis
Skin
Skin Diseases
Skin, Artificial*
Collagen