Keratinocytes

The skin is composed of a layer of epithelial tissue (epidermis) that is supported by a layer of connective tissue (dermis) and an underlying subcutaneous layer. The outermost layer of the skin is composed of flat, squamous epithelial cells that are closely packed together. The skin protects the internal structures of the body from damage, prevents dehydration, acts as a barrier against germs, stores fat, and produces vitamins and hormones. Chronic non-healing wounds, diabetic ulcers and several autoimmune inflammatory skin diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and severe generalized systemic sclerosis (SSc) are unresponsive to conventional therapy. MSC therapy is another emerging option to treat acute and chronic non-healing wounds. A number of studies have demonstrated efficiency of MSC-based therapies for allergic immune disorders, like allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and asthma. However, the therapeutic implication is still limited due to changes in phenotype ex vivo and de-differentiation of these cells post-transplant.

We develop robust and reliable methods of ex vivo expansion of MSCs and their differentiation to specialized progenitors without de-differentiation.