In vitro growth and maturation of epithelial cells from postembryonic skin

The in vitro growth and maturation of epithelial cells from normal human skin in organ culture, outgrowth culture, and isolated epithelial cell culture are described. In each model, the patterns of growth and maturation differ in growth rates, formation of keratohyaline granules, and keratinization. The differences and similarities in the behavior of epithelial cells in each system are described, some of the physical and chemical factors which alter these patterns are outlined, and the general advantages and limitations of each model as a research tool are discussed.