Ann Dermatol.  1997 Oct;9(4):242-245. 10.5021/ad.1997.9.4.242.

Culture of Nail Matrix Cells

• Yoo JH
• Eun HC
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2360346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1997.9.4.242

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In vitro epidermal keratinocytes(EKs) culture systems are widely used in studying skin biology and differentiation. Recently a monolayer culture method of nail matrix cells(NMCs) has been developed.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to establish a method of culture of NMCs and compared its characteristics with those of EKs.
METHODS
Human NMCs were isolated and cultured in a defined medium. Phase contrast microscopic examination, growth rate and ketatin expression were evaluated.
RESULTS
In in vitro monolayer culture, NMCs had a similar growth pattern and morphological features as EKs. The synthesis of hard keratins was detected.
CONCLUSION
These observations suggest that the NMCs culture model may be useful for the study of nail properties and the effects of drugs.

Keyword

Hard keratins; Nail matrix cells

MeSH Terms

Biology
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Methods
Skin