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Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin
Published on: April 29, 2016
Development of the sulfur mustard resistant keratinocyte cell line HaCaT/SM
Annette Schmidt1, Dirk Steinritz2, Horst Thiermann3
1Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany; Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
Abstract:
Pairs of corresponding cytotoxic drug sensitive and resistant cell lines are powerful tools to develop treatment strategies. Developing cytotoxic drug resistant cell lines is a well-established method in cancer research. In more than fifty years of sulfur mustard (SM) resistant research such a cell pair has never been produced. Hereinafter we describe the first successful approach to develop a SM resistant keratinocyte cell line. Starting with the SM sensitive keratinocyte cell line HaCaT we used a strategy of continuous exposure with gradually increased concentrations. Cells were cultured in total for more than 40 months starting with an initial concentration of 0.07μM SM twice a week up to a final concentration of 7.2μM SM. The achieved cell line HaCaT/SM had an LC50 resistance increase of 4.7-fold and an LC90 increase of 8.2-fold. Hereinafter we demonstrate the production of the first sulfur mustard (SM) resistant cell line. The new achieved cell line called HaCaT/SM is able to tolerate a continuous exposure of an SM concentration, which is associated with an inhibitory effect of 93% within the original HaCaT cells, which were used as starting point.
Insights
Researchers developed the first sulfur mustard (SM) resistant keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT/SM, after over 40 months of continuous exposure. This new cell line offers a vital tool for studying SM resistance mechanisms and developing effective cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cytotoxic drug-resistant cell lines are crucial for developing cancer treatment strategies.
- Despite extensive research, a sulfur mustard (SM)-resistant keratinocyte cell line has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop the first sulfur mustard (SM)-resistant keratinocyte cell line.
- To create a valuable tool for understanding SM resistance and informing therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- A sensitive HaCaT keratinocyte cell line was continuously exposed to gradually increasing concentrations of SM over 40 months.
- The exposure strategy began with 0.07μM SM twice weekly, escalating to a final concentration of 7.2μM SM.
Main Results:
- The developed cell line, HaCaT/SM, demonstrated a 4.7-fold increase in LC50 and an 8.2-fold increase in LC90 compared to the sensitive parent line.
- HaCaT/SM cells tolerated SM concentrations that caused a 93% inhibitory effect in the original HaCaT cells.
Conclusions:
- The successful development of the HaCaT/SM cell line represents a significant advancement in SM resistance research.
- This novel cell line provides a unique platform for investigating SM-induced cellular responses and resistance mechanisms in keratinocytes.

