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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Schwann Cells, Keratinocytes, and Fibroblasts from Human Foreskin
Published on: March 23, 2022
Quantitative and qualitative study in keratinocytes from foreskin in children: Perspective application in paediatric
J N McHeik1, C Barrault, F X Bernard
1Chirurgie pédiatrique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Poitiers, Avenue Jacques coeur, BP 577, 86021 Poitiers, France. j.mcheik@chu-poitiers.fr
Insights
Foreskin keratinocytes exhibit significant proliferative potential, offering a promising cell source for burn wound coverage. These cells can be expanded extensively before undergoing differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Keratinocytes are essential skin cells.
- Foreskin tissue contains a valuable source of keratinocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the proliferative capacity and differentiation potential of pediatric foreskin keratinocytes.
- To assess the feasibility of using these cells for regenerative purposes.
Main Methods:
- Keratinocytes were isolated from 18 pediatric foreskins.
- Cells were cultured on collagen lattices under submerged and air-liquid interface conditions.
- Histological and immunohistologic analyses were performed to assess differentiation.
Main Results:
- Enzymatic digestion yielded 11.4 million cells per foreskin.
- A 10-day culture expanded 2 million cells to 24 million cells.
- Cultured keratinocytes formed a neo-epidermis with characteristic differentiation markers.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric foreskin keratinocytes possess high proliferative capacity.
- These cells can be expanded extensively prior to differentiation.
- Foreskin keratinocytes represent a potential cell source for burn wound coverage.
Background:
We performed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of keratinocytes from foreskin in children.
Materials And Methods:
We harvested 18 foreskins after circumcision. The mean average age of the operated children was 4 years. The keratinocytes were isolated after double-enzymatic digestion. After filtration and centrifugation we put the keratinocytes in culture. Then, the keratinocytes were cultivated on collagen lattices. The keratinocytes were cultured in submerged condition for 2 days and then in an air-liquid interface condition for further differentiation. After cultures, the cells were counted and a histological examination was done. An immunohistologic analysis enabled us to highlight the markers characteristic of neo-epidermis differentiation.
Results:
After enzymatic digestion, we obtained 11.4 million cells per foreskin. After 10 days of culture and from 2 million cells, we obtained 24 million cells. In contact with the collagen lattices, we obtained a neo-epidermis and we described the markers of keratinocytes differentiation as well as the markers of the dermo-epidermal junction.
Conclusion:
Keratinocytes from foreskin have a high capacity for division. These cells can divide for long periods before differentiation. These observations allow us to propose foreskin keratinocytes as a potential source of cells to provide coverage in burns.
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