Quantitative and qualitative study in keratinocytes from foreskin in children: Perspective application in paediatric burns.
BACKGROUND
We performed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of keratinocytes from foreskin in children.


METHODS
We harvested 18 foreskins after circumcision. The mean average age of the operated children was 4 years. The keratinocytes were isolated after double-enzymatic digestion. After filtration and centrifugation we put the keratinocytes in culture. Then, the keratinocytes were cultivated on collagen lattices. The keratinocytes were cultured in submerged condition for 2 days and then in an air-liquid interface condition for further differentiation. After cultures, the cells were counted and a histological examination was done. An immunohistologic analysis enabled us to highlight the markers characteristic of neo-epidermis differentiation.


RESULTS
After enzymatic digestion, we obtained 11.4 million cells per foreskin. After 10 days of culture and from 2 million cells, we obtained 24 million cells. In contact with the collagen lattices, we obtained a neo-epidermis and we described the markers of keratinocytes differentiation as well as the markers of the dermo-epidermal junction.


CONCLUSIONS
Keratinocytes from foreskin have a high capacity for division. These cells can divide for long periods before differentiation. These observations allow us to propose foreskin keratinocytes as a potential source of cells to provide coverage in burns.
McHeik
J N
JN
Chirurgie pédiatrique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Poitiers, Avenue Jacques coeur, BP 577, 86021 Poitiers, France. j.mcheik@chu-poitiers.fr
Barrault
C
C
Bernard
F X
FX
Levard
G
G
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D052816:Foreskin / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male
D015415:Biomarkers