THE GROWTH OF ICHTHYOTIC EPIDERMAL-CELLS IN A 3-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF HUMAN SKIN, THE SKIN EQUIVALENT

We have studied the differentiation of ichthyotic epidermis in vitro u sing the skin equivalent model. The morphology of these ichthyotic cul tures has been investigated using histopathological and histometric te chniques including epidermal and stratum corneum thickness measurement s. The skin equivalents have also been investigated for the presence o f markers of differentiation using immunolocalization techniques. Thes e markers include the 65.5 and 67 kDa keratins, desmoplakin, involucri n, laminin and filaggrin. It has been shown that the ichthyotic epider mis develops a fully differentiated epidermis and stratum corneum, equ ivalent to those seen in normal skin equivalents.