Reformation of organized epidermal structure by transplantation of suspensions and cultures of epidermal and dermal cells

Abstract

The development of epidermis and epidermal appendages from dissociated cells of neonate mouse skin was examined by transplantation of cell suspensions to subdermally prepared, protected graft beds. Using Ficol gradients and culture procedures, we prepared subfractions of primary cell suspensions consisting of essentially pure epidermal cells or fibroblasts. Reformation of an epithelium structurally similar to the epidermis was observed from transplanted epidermal-cell suspensions, but formation of hair follicles and development of normal epidermal microarchitecture was observed only when epidermal cells were transplanted together with cells of dermal origin. This pattern was observed following transplantation of either fresh-cell isolates or cells cultured up to 7 days prior to transplantation.