How Stretchy Are Skin Cells?
Author Information
Author(s): Fudge Douglas, Russell David, Beriault Dan, Moore Whitney, Lane E. Birgitte, Vogl A. Wayne
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
The intermediate filament network in keratinocytes is extensible and elastic as predicted by the available in vitro data.
Conclusion
Keratinocytes can survive uniaxial cell strains as high as 100% with little obvious damage.
Supporting Evidence
- Keratinocytes remained attached to the membrane during and after the stretching protocol.
- Most keratinocytes retained their structural integrity and remained viable after high strains.
- Electron microscopy showed that intermediate filaments are straightened at high cell strains.
Takeaway
This study shows that skin cells can stretch a lot without breaking, which is important for their health.
Methodology
The study involved monitoring the morphology of fluorescently-tagged intermediate filament networks in cultured human keratinocytes subjected to uniaxial cell strains.
Limitations
The results are based on a single immortalized cell line, and further studies on other cell lines and primary cultures are needed.
Participant Demographics
Human keratinocytes were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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