In vitro skin models

IN VITRO SKIN MODELS

StratiCELL offers product objectivation studies on a wide range of skin models, including cell cultures in monolayer (keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, adipocytes, sebocytes, sensory neurons, endothelial cells, etc.), human reconstituted epidermis and finally, human skin explants. All these 2D or 3D models can be derived from primary, hiPS-derived cells or from particular conditions (i.e. from psoriatic or AD patients), and can be stimulated or exposed to stress factors as required. Our skin models are manufactured in-house and are the results of more than 15 years of R&D innovations.

Skin cells in monolayer cultures

Cells in monolayer cultures constitute a simple, cost-effective model. StratiCELL offers different cell types such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, sebocytes, sensory neurons, adipocytes, endothelial cells, either primary or derived from hiPS stem cells. StratiCELL owns a biobank containing more than 100 isolated primary cells from different individuals (i.e. young, mature, sun exposed or not, psoriatic, atopic, etc. in order to meet the specific requirements of your study).

In vitro reconstituted human epidermis

StratiCELL reconstituted human epidermis is produced from a pool of human keratinocytes from different donors ensuring the highest level of standardization and reproducibility of the test results. The tissues are seeded on polycarbonate filters grown at the air-liquid interface with an appropriate cell culture medium, free of animal serum. After two weeks of differentiation, a full epidermis is reconstituted. This model enables the integration of other relevant cell types and components, including melanocytes, an underlying dermis, sensory neurons, macrophages, commensal or opportunistic microorganisms, etc. For instance, StratiCELL offers for instance a robust “age spot” model showing typical hyperpigmentation and hyperplasia. These models can be produced starting with keratinocytes from healthy or atopic donors, from young or mature individuals, from Asian or Caucasian skin, etc., and can be challenged in many ways, for instance by inflammatory mediators (PMA, Th-2 or Th-17 cytokines), pollutants, UV, barrier disruptors, etc.

Ex vivo skin explants

Ex vivo human skin is derived from surgical operations such as abdominoplasty, and is useful for particular studies requiring specific biomarkers such as those associated with the extracellular matrix. These biological samples are also relevant for the study of transcriptome from human volunteers, providing the link between in vivo and ex vivo studies.