Estimation of interaction between human keratinocytes and xenogenic collagen in vitro

This paper describes the interaction observed between human keratinocytes and xenogenic collagen in vitro modified by HCl. Human keratinocytes were cultivated for 3-10 days, on modified and control support. Their growth, morphology and interaction with support were analyzed. It was found that on both control and experimental (modified) collagen cells proliferated in a similar way. Within 3-10 days, the culture became multilayered and mature and differentiation of cells was visible. Using electron microscope elements of basal membrane interacting with support were seen. On modified support processes of cells penetrating the support are occasionally seen. By use of the immunofluorescent, cytochemical techniques was found the presence of: BP-180 (antigen), beta(4) integrin, laminin 5 and collagen IV, VII, VIIc. On the modified support the above listed elements appeared between 3 and 7 days of culture, whereas on the control between 7th and 10th days. On 10th day of culture, the presence of elements of basal membranes became less evident. Results give some hope for using xenogenic, modified collagen as support of keratinocytes culture in process of human skin engineering.