Establishment of a new three-dimensional human epidermal model reconstructed from plucked hair follicle-derived keratinocytes.

For decades many in vitro three-dimensional (3D) skin models have been established and widely used in lieu of animals for skin research. Models that mimic human skin in as many physiological aspects as possible are suitable for academic and industrial research. Such models have been increasingly required because of worldwide expansions of bans and limitations on animal experimentation. Several models of reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) are currently available (1). These models have been used for various studies, such as metabolic studies of pharmaceutical products (s1-s3), determination of absorption properties (s4-s6), assessment of cutaneous corrosivity (s7-s9) and epidermal responses to irritants and sensitizers (s10-s12). However, the major drawback of these models is that they are derived from unknown donors, hampering studies on differences among individuals. Limat et al., first reported a hair follicle-derived keratinocyte RHE model as a less invasive treatment for chronic leg ulcers (2, 3), and it was recently used to evaluate sunscreens (4). They used keratinocytes derived from plucked hair follicles with feeder cells in addition to fetal calf serum or autologous serum for primary and 3D cultures. A safer and simpler RHE model is needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.