StrataChip: a microphysiological system capturing dynamic keratinocyte fate and mechanical transitions during human...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Developmental Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Epidermal homeostasis relies on coordinated keratinocyte differentiation and mechanics.
• Current experimental systems have limitations in studying these integrated processes.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for skin biology and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce StrataChip, a novel microphysiological system for studying human epidermal morphogenesis.
• Enable dynamic, multimodal interrogation of epidermal development.
• Investigate the coupling between gene regulation and cell mechanics in epidermal stratification.

Main Methods:

• Developed StrataChip, a microfluidic device integrating a perfused dermal tissue with human keratinocytes.
• Utilized an air-liquid interface to promote epidermal stratification.
• Employed high-resolution confocal imaging and single-cell RNA-sequencing for analysis.

Main Results:

• StrataChip successfully recapitulated key architectural and molecular features of human epidermis.
• Identified transcriptionally distinct basal and spinous keratinocyte subpopulations.
• Observed and linked keratinocyte morphodynamics, such as asymmetric division, to differentiation and stratification.

Conclusions:

• StrataChip is a robust platform for studying human epidermal morphogenesis.
• The system allows dynamic and mechanistic interrogation of epidermal development.
• Provides insights into the coupling of gene regulation and cell mechanics in skin homeostasis.