This article and associated images are based on a poster originally authored by Przyborski Laboratory and presented at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2025 in affiliation with Durham University and REPROCELL Europe.
This poster is being hosted on this website in its raw form, without modifications. It has not undergone peer review but has been reviewed to meet AZoNetwork's editorial quality standards. The information contained is for informational purposes only and should not be considered validated by independent peer assessment.
Introduction
Bioengineered skin models provide a physiologically relevant, predictive platform for skin care applications. We have developed a highly organized and reproducible skin model, resembling the structure of human skin1,2 (Figure 1).
There is an increasing demand for bioengineered skin that incorporates additional cell types to model specific behaviors.
Figure 1. The model resembles the structure of human skin. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Pigmented skin models
Uniformly pigmented skin models exhibit similar characteristics to human skin:
- Exclusive localization of melanocytes to the stratum basale
- Evidence of melanin transfer to neighbouring melanocytes
- Polarized melanin distribution and the formation of a supranuclear cap in basal keratinocytes
Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Figure 2. The pigmented skin model exhibits similar characteristics to human skin. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Immunocompetent skin models
- Immunocompetent skin models have been developed through the incorporation of MUTZ-3 Langerhans cells in the epidermis
- Langerhans cells are located throughout the epidermis in our skin model, similarly to human skin, and they provide immunological defense against pathogens
- The immunocompetent skin model is responsive, and the topical application of allergens such as nickel sulfate induced an inflammatory response
Figure 3. The pigmented skin model demonstrates similar characteristics to human skin. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Neurosensory skin models
- We have developed neurosensory skin models through the incorporation of F11 neurons into the dermis
- The mature neurons extend neurites throughout the dermis and closely interact with basal keratinocytes
- The neurosensory skin models are responsive
- The topical application of capsaicin increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) secretion into the media, which demonstrates neurosensory activation
Figure 4. Development and characterisation of a neurosensory skin model. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Ageing and senescent skin models
- Ageing and senescent skin models resemble features of native ageing skin, and they provide a screening tool for anti-ageing actives and senolytic therapies
- The use of an increased proportion of senescent fibroblasts within the dermis increased epidermal thickness, but did not affect barrier properties
- The incorporation of ageing fibroblasts within the dermis significantly decreased epidermal thickness (p<0.0001), and an altered morphology of the basal keratinocytes was observed
Figure 5. Epidermal-dermal cross-talk influences epidermal morphology during ageing. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Przyborski Laboratory, in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.
Conclusions and future directions
- We have developed complex skin equivalents that incorporate cell types such as melanocytes, immune cells, and sensory neurons
- The pigmented skin models exhibit a uniform appearance and demonstrate complex mechanisms, such as melanin transfer to neighboring keratinocytes. These skin models will be used to assess the ability of sunscreens and actives to mitigate damage from ultraviolet radiation
- The immunocompetent skin models incorporate Langerhans cells in the epidermis, and importantly, they are responsive to allergens and irritants. They will be used to investigate the impact of particular matter on the inflammatory response
- The neurosensory skin models incorporate neurons in the dermis and demonstrate functionality and neurosensory activation in response to neurostimulators, such as capsaicin. These skin models will be used as a screening tool for commercially relevant compounds
- The ageing and senescent skin models exhibit an ageing phenotype, and they will be used to evaluate the efficacy of cosmetic actives
References
- Roger, M., et al. (2019). Bioengineering the microanatomy of human skin. Journal of Anatomy, 234(4), pp.438–455. DOI: 10.1111/joa.12942. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/joa.12942.
- Costello, L., et al. (2019). Engineering a Multilayered Skin Equivalent: The Importance of Endogenous Extracellular Matrix Maturation to Provide Robustness and Reproducibility. Methods in Molecular Biology, pp.107–122. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9473-1_9. https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-4939-9473-1_9.
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Last Updated: Nov 26, 2025