SCAFFOLD-BASED ORGANOTYPIC CULTURE FORT THE LONG-TERM CULTIVATION OF HUMAN EPIDERMAL STEM-CELLS

摘要

The present invention relates to organotypic cultures of epidermal cells and their uses for the screening of pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents. Specifically, means for the improvement of the long-term stability of said cultures are disclosed. Thus, the present invention contemplates a skin equivalent comprising (a) a dermal equivalent comprising a matrix comprising (i) nonwoven viscose fabric and (ii) fibroblasts and (b) keratinocytes. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a method for manufacturing said skin equivalent and a method for screening of agents capable of influencing skin, such as a therapeutic or cosmetic agent.