Characterization of a human epidermis model reconstructed from hair follicle keratinocytes and comparison with two commercially models and native skin

• Published in: International journal of cosmetic science 2014-10, Vol.36 (5), p.485-493
• Main Authors: Guiraud, B., Hernandez-Pigeon, H., Ceruti, I., Mas, S., Palvadeau, Y., Saint-Martory, C., Castex-Rizzi, N., Duplan, H., Bessou-Touya, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers - metabolism; cell culture; Cell Cycle; Cell Differentiation; Epidermis - anatomy & histology; Follicles; Gene Expression; Hair - cytology; hair follicles; Humans; Keratinocytes - cytology; Models, Biological; reconstructed human epidermis; safety testing; skin physiology/structure
• ISSN: 0142-5463; 1468-2494
• DOI: 10.1111/ics.12150

Synopsis Objective Outer root sheath (ORS) cells of human hair follicles are a readily available, non‐invasive source of keratinocytes for epidermis reconstruction. The aim of this study was to characterize a model of epidermis reconstructed from ORS cells (ORS‐derived model) and to evaluate its reproducibility, in comparison with native human skin and two marketed reconstructed skin models (model A, Episkin® and model B, Skinethic®). Methods Cell morphology and tissue architecture of the three models were analysed histologically and proliferation and differentiation marker expression by immunohistochemistry and mRNA quantification. Results All models displayed the same general epidermal architecture as native epidermis, but with a thicker stratum corneum in models A and B. Compared with native epidermis, Ki67 was correctly localized in epidermal basal cells in all models, as K10 in suprabasal layers. In all skin models, transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) was prematurely expressed in suprabasal layers. However, this expression was only observed from the upper stratum spinosum in the ORS‐derived model. In this model, filaggrin and loricrin were correctly located in the stratum granulosum. Filaggrin, involucrin, loricrin and TGM1 mRNAs (markers of keratinocyte terminal differentiation) were transcriptionally expressed in all models. In the ORS‐derived model, transcriptional expression level was similar to that of native skin. Conclusion ORS cell‐based reconstructed epidermis is a valid and reproducible model for human epidermis and it may be used to evaluate the effects of active substances and cosmetic formulations. Résumé Objectif Les cellules ORS de la gaine épithéliale externe des follicules pileux humains sont une source facilement disponible, non invasive de kératinocytes pour la reconstruction des épidermes. L'objectif de la présente étude est de caractériser un modèle d'épiderme reconstitué réalisé à partir des cellules ORS (modèle dérivé d'ORS), et d'évaluer sa reproductibilité, par rapport à la peau humaine native et à deux modèles commercialisés d'épidermes reconstruits (modèle A, Episkin ® et le modèle B, Skinethic ®). Méthodes La morphologie cellulaire et l'architecture des tissus des 3 modèles ont été analysés sur le plan histologique et l'expression des marqueurs de prolifération et de différenciation ont été analysés par immunohistochimie et quantification d'ARNm. Résultats Tous les modèles ont une architecture épidermique générale similaire à celle d