Melanin Transfer in Human 3D Skin Equivalents Generated Exclusively from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 26;10(8):e0136713. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136713. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The current utility of 3D skin equivalents is limited by the fact that existing models fail to recapitulate the cellular complexity of human skin. They often contain few cell types and no appendages, in part because many cells found in the skin are difficult to isolate from intact tissue and cannot be expanded in culture. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) present an avenue by which we can overcome this issue due to their ability to be differentiated into multiple cell types in the body and their unlimited growth potential. We previously reported generation of the first human 3D skin equivalents from iPSC-derived fibroblasts and iPSC-derived keratinocytes, demonstrating that iPSCs can provide a foundation for modeling a complex human organ such as skin. Here, we have increased the complexity of this model by including additional iPSC-derived melanocytes. Epidermal melanocytes, which are largely responsible for skin pigmentation, represent the second most numerous cell type found in normal human epidermis and as such represent a logical next addition. We report efficient melanin production from iPSC-derived melanocytes and transfer within an entirely iPSC-derived epidermal-melanin unit and generation of the first functional human 3D skin equivalents made from iPSC-derived fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Epidermal Cells*
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / cytology*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Melanins / metabolism*
  • Melanocytes / cytology*
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin / cytology*
  • Skin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Melanins
  • RNA, Messenger