title: Dissociation of human adult epidermal cells by disulfide-reducing agents and subsequent trypsinization.
abstract: Primary cultures of epidermal cells from human adult skin were dissociated by dithiothreitol (DTT) with subsequent trypsinization. After treatment with disulfide reducing agents, the desmosomes were either destroyed or showed a homogeneous ultrastructure. Trypsin separated the homogeneous desmosomes, whereas cell membranes, organelles, and nuclei remained undamaged. Trypsin did not influence normal desmosomes. A suspension of human epidermal cells was recultivated in new flasks. Two types of cells grew in the cultures--polygonal and spindle-shaped. The polygonal cells were maintained for 30 to 60 days and grew slowly. The spindle-shaped cells were leucine-amino-peptidase negative, grew actively, and were subcultured.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014357:Trypsin