Nv. Konstantinova et al., NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR IN NORMAL AND PSORIATIC SKIN EQUIVALENT MODELS, Archives of dermatological research (Print), 290(11), 1998, pp. 610-614
Our objective was to determine the pattern and time course of nerve gr
owth factor expression in an established skin equivalent model that we
have used in the past to study wound healing and psoriasis phenotypes
, Skin equivalents mere constructed in triplicate using normal neonata
l foreskin keratinocytes plated on collagen gels containing fibroblast
lines. These lines were derived from five specimens of psoriatic lesi
ons, three specimens of normal skin from patients with psoriasis, and
three specimens of eyelid skin from normal donors. Immunohistochemistr
y and a monoclonal nerve growth factor-b antibody were used to determi
ne the pattern of protein staining over 2 weeks, We looked at the woun
d healing phenotype using the skin equivalent model for 7-14 days. Whe
n keratinocytes invaginate into the dermis of skin equivalents (beginn
ing at around 7 days of growth), dark staining of nerve growth factor
was seen under the basal membrane zone, suggesting that nerve growth f
actor serves in the development of the basal membrane zone and the epi
dermis, and may influence the migration of nerves through the basal me
mbrane zone into the regenerated skin.