Related Experiment Videos
Primary cilium expression in cells from normal and aberrant human skin
G E Strugnell1, A M Wang, D N Wheatley
1Cell Pathology Unit, University Medical School, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Human skin fibroblasts in culture readily form primary cilia, similar to their in vivo counterparts. However, keratinocytes rarely form cilia in vitro, highlighting cell-type-specific differences in ciliation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Primary cilia are crucial cellular organelles involved in signaling pathways.
- Fibroblasts and keratinocytes are key cell types in human skin.
- In vivo, both fibroblasts and keratinocytes exhibit a high incidence of primary cilia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of primary cilia in human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro.
- To determine the stability of ciliation in fibroblasts during prolonged subculturing.
- To explore the influence of culture conditions, such as calcium concentration, on ciliation.
Main Methods:
- Primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes were established.
- Cells were cultured under various conditions, including different media and calcium concentrations.
- Ciliation frequency was assessed in both cell types, including comparisons within co-cultures.
Main Results:
- Fibroblasts consistently showed a high incidence of primary cilia in vitro, irrespective of prolonged subculturing.
- Keratinocytes rarely expressed primary cilia in vitro, contrasting with their high in vivo ciliation.
- Calcium levels influenced keratinocyte differentiation and showed a minor increase in their ciliation.
Conclusions:
- Human skin fibroblasts maintain high primary cilia expression in vitro, suggesting robust intrinsic regulation.
- Keratinocytes exhibit a significant loss of ciliation potential in vitro, indicating dependence on specific in vivo cues.
- These findings reveal cell-type-specific differences in primary cilia formation in vitro, offering insights into regulatory factors.