Dermal Cell Culture
The in vitro culture of human skin cells is an essential research tool widely used for assaying dermal toxicity, pharmacological testing, and tissue repair. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of primary human dermal cells including keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts and hair follicle cells to support these research applications.
Keratinocytes
Primary Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes are available from single or from pooled donors isolated from the epidermis of juvenile foreskin or adult skin from different locations like the face, the breasts, the abdomen, and the thighs. They are the major cell type in the epidermis, making up about 90% of the cells. Additional donor information, like age, sex and skin pigmentation is available for each produced lot.
Melanocytes
Melanocytes are located in the stratum basale, but branch out between the keratinocytes in suprabasal layers. About 5-10 % of the cells in the epidermis are melanocytes. Our Normal Human Epidermal Melanocytes are isolated from the epidermis of juvenile foreskin or adult skin from different locations including the face, the breasts, the abdomen, and the thighs.
Our melanocytes are isolated using either the serum-free, PMA (Phorbol Myristate Acetate)-containing Melanocyte Growth Medium or the serum-free and PMA-free Melanocyte Growth Medium M2. Since PMA is a tumor promoting mitogen, it can interfere with experimental approaches. Therefore, we recommend using cells isolated in Melanocyte Growth Medium M2 and also using this medium for cultivation.
Fibroblasts
Fibroblasts are morphologically heterogeneous with diverse appearances depending on their location in the body and their activity. Primary Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) are isolated form the dermis of juvenile foreskin or adult skin from different locations like the face, the breasts, the abdomen, and the thighs.
Follicle dermal papilla cells
Human follicle dermal papilla cells are located in the dermal papilla at the base of hair follicles. Embedded in a laminin and collagen IV rich extracellular matrix, they are essential for induction and maintenance of hair growth. Since these cells express androgen receptors, they represent a well-suited model system for androgen-related research. Our Human Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells are isolated mainly from normal human dermis of the lateral scalp. Information on donor hair and skin color is available for each lot.
Quality control
In addition to cell type-specific marker analysis, each produced lot is tested for growth performance through multiple passages up to 15 population doublings (PD) under culture conditions without antibiotics and antimycotics. In addition, all cells have been tested for the absence of HIV-1, HIV-2, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1, HTLV-2 and microbial contaminants (fungi, bacteria, and mycoplasma).