Model of human epidermis reconstructed in vitro with keratinocytes and melanocytes on dead de-epidermized human dermis.

CONTEXT Recent progress in the field of epithelial culture techniques has allowed the development of culture systems in which the reconstructed epidermis presents characteristics of morphological differentiation similar to those seen in vivo. Human epidermis reconstructed in vitro may be used as the best alternative for the in vitro testing of the toxicology and efficiency of products for topical use, as well as in the treatment of skin burns and chronic skin ulcers. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate a method for obtaining human epidermis reconstructed in vitro, using keratinocytes and melanocytes cultivated on dead de-epidermized human dermis. TYPE OF STUDY Experimental/laboratory. SETTING Skin Cell Culture Laboratory of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. PROCEDURE Human keratinocytes and melanocytes cultured in vitro were grown on a biological matrix (dead de-epidermized human dermis) and the system was kept at an air-liquid interface, in a suitable culturing medium, until a stratified human epidermis was formed, maintaining the histological characteristics of the epidermis in vivo. RESULTS It was histologically demonstrated that it is possible to reproduce a differentiated epidermis through keratinocytes and melanocytes cultured on dead de-epidermized human dermis, thus obtaining a correctly positioned human epidermis reconstructed in vitro with functional keratinocytes and melanocytes that is similar to in vivo epidermis. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to obtain a completely differentiated human epidermis reconstructed in vitro from keratinocyte and melanocyte cultures on a dead de-epidermized human dermis.