Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances

The development of immunocompetent skin models marks a significant advancement in in vitro methods for detecting skin sensitizers while adhering to the 3R principles, which aim to reduce, refine, and replace animal testing. This study introduces for the first time an advanced immunocompetent skin mo...

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Main Authors: Marla Dubau, Tarada Tripetchr, Lava Mahmoud, Fabian Schumacher, Burkhard Kleuser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Tissue Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251336296
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author Marla Dubau
Tarada Tripetchr
Lava Mahmoud
Fabian Schumacher
Burkhard Kleuser
author_facet Marla Dubau
Tarada Tripetchr
Lava Mahmoud
Fabian Schumacher
Burkhard Kleuser
author_sort Marla Dubau
collection DOAJ
description The development of immunocompetent skin models marks a significant advancement in in vitro methods for detecting skin sensitizers while adhering to the 3R principles, which aim to reduce, refine, and replace animal testing. This study introduces for the first time an advanced immunocompetent skin model constructed entirely from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell types, including fibroblasts (iPSC-FB), keratinocytes (iPSC-KC), and fully integrated dendritic cells (iPSC-DC). To evaluate the skin model’s capacity, the model was treated topically with a range of well-characterized skin sensitizers varying in potency. The results indicate that the iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model successfully replicates the physiological responses of human skin, offering a robust and reliable alternative to animal models for skin sensitization testing, allowing detection of extreme and even weak sensitizers. By addressing critical aspects of immune activation and cytokine signaling, this model provides an ethical, comprehensive tool for regulatory toxicology and dermatological research.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-7314
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
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series Journal of Tissue Engineering
spelling doaj-art-ef83fee0ac4841fa96710a2fbd0209852025-08-20T03:52:15ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Tissue Engineering2041-73142025-05-011610.1177/20417314251336296Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substancesMarla Dubau0Tarada Tripetchr1Lava Mahmoud2Fabian Schumacher3Burkhard Kleuser4Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität Berlin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität Berlin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität Berlin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität Berlin, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Berlin, GermanyThe development of immunocompetent skin models marks a significant advancement in in vitro methods for detecting skin sensitizers while adhering to the 3R principles, which aim to reduce, refine, and replace animal testing. This study introduces for the first time an advanced immunocompetent skin model constructed entirely from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell types, including fibroblasts (iPSC-FB), keratinocytes (iPSC-KC), and fully integrated dendritic cells (iPSC-DC). To evaluate the skin model’s capacity, the model was treated topically with a range of well-characterized skin sensitizers varying in potency. The results indicate that the iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model successfully replicates the physiological responses of human skin, offering a robust and reliable alternative to animal models for skin sensitization testing, allowing detection of extreme and even weak sensitizers. By addressing critical aspects of immune activation and cytokine signaling, this model provides an ethical, comprehensive tool for regulatory toxicology and dermatological research.https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251336296
spellingShingle Marla Dubau
Tarada Tripetchr
Lava Mahmoud
Fabian Schumacher
Burkhard Kleuser
Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
Journal of Tissue Engineering
title Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
title_full Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
title_fullStr Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
title_full_unstemmed Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
title_short Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
title_sort development of an ipsc derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20417314251336296
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AT lavamahmoud developmentofanipscderivedimmunocompetentskinmodelforidentificationofskinsensitizingsubstances
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