Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct
In vitro tissue models offer a flexible complementary study system for use alongside in vivo human tissue samples. Achieving accurate in vitro models relies on combining appropriate scaffolds, growth factors and cell populations to recreate human tissue complexity. Balancing a consistent cell supply...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/14/1044 |
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| author | Lucy Smith David Bunton Michael Finch Stefan Przyborski |
| author_facet | Lucy Smith David Bunton Michael Finch Stefan Przyborski |
| author_sort | Lucy Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In vitro tissue models offer a flexible complementary study system for use alongside in vivo human tissue samples. Achieving accurate in vitro models relies on combining appropriate scaffolds, growth factors and cell populations to recreate human tissue complexity. Balancing a consistent cell supply with the creation of healthy tissue models can be challenging; established cell lines are often cancerous, with altered cellular function compared to healthy populations, and primary cells require repeated isolation, with associated batch-to-batch variation. Pluripotent stem cell-derived populations offer a consistent supply, as well as the ability to model disease phenotypes through cell reprogramming using patient-derived cells. In this study, we have used an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived fibroblast population to develop a dermal equivalent model. These cells form a consistent tissue construct with a structure and composition similar to primary fibroblast controls, which are able to support an overlying epidermis. The resultant full-thickness skin model demonstrates the expression of various key skin-related markers, correctly localised within the organised epidermis, notably improving on previous models of a similar nature. Providing proof of concept using an established in vitro protocol, this study paves the way for future work developing consistent, customised, full-thickness human skin equivalents using iPSC-derived populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afb341c3d5f846ce832c5ff8460c094b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj-art-afb341c3d5f846ce832c5ff8460c094b2025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-07-011414104410.3390/cells14141044Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin ConstructLucy Smith0David Bunton1Michael Finch2Stefan Przyborski3Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UKReprocell Europe Ltd., Thomson Pavilion, Acre Road, Glasgow G20 0XA, UKReprocell Europe Ltd., Thomson Pavilion, Acre Road, Glasgow G20 0XA, UKDepartment of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UKIn vitro tissue models offer a flexible complementary study system for use alongside in vivo human tissue samples. Achieving accurate in vitro models relies on combining appropriate scaffolds, growth factors and cell populations to recreate human tissue complexity. Balancing a consistent cell supply with the creation of healthy tissue models can be challenging; established cell lines are often cancerous, with altered cellular function compared to healthy populations, and primary cells require repeated isolation, with associated batch-to-batch variation. Pluripotent stem cell-derived populations offer a consistent supply, as well as the ability to model disease phenotypes through cell reprogramming using patient-derived cells. In this study, we have used an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived fibroblast population to develop a dermal equivalent model. These cells form a consistent tissue construct with a structure and composition similar to primary fibroblast controls, which are able to support an overlying epidermis. The resultant full-thickness skin model demonstrates the expression of various key skin-related markers, correctly localised within the organised epidermis, notably improving on previous models of a similar nature. Providing proof of concept using an established in vitro protocol, this study paves the way for future work developing consistent, customised, full-thickness human skin equivalents using iPSC-derived populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/14/1044induced pluripotent stem cellstissue engineeringin vitro modelsfibroblastshuman skin equivalents3D cell culture |
| spellingShingle | Lucy Smith David Bunton Michael Finch Stefan Przyborski Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct Cells induced pluripotent stem cells tissue engineering in vitro models fibroblasts human skin equivalents 3D cell culture |
| title | Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct |
| title_full | Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct |
| title_fullStr | Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct |
| title_short | Bioengineering a Human Dermal Equivalent Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Fibroblasts to Support the Formation of a Full-Thickness Skin Construct |
| title_sort | bioengineering a human dermal equivalent using induced pluripotent stem cell derived fibroblasts to support the formation of a full thickness skin construct |
| topic | induced pluripotent stem cells tissue engineering in vitro models fibroblasts human skin equivalents 3D cell culture |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/14/1044 |
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