scRNA-seq of human skin equivalents
This study aims to advance our understanding of skin physiology and aging through the development of human skin equivalents (HSEs) that replicate the natural heterogeneity of dermal mesenchymal cells, including papillary and reticular fibroblasts and pericytes. By integrating single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and innovative three-dimensional culture techniques, the research emphasizes the pivotal role of cell-to-cell communication in maintaining skin homeostasis. The findings highlight the potential of these HSEs as a robust in vitro platform for evaluating therapeutic interventions, modeling aging-related phenotypes, and mitigating the reliance on animal testing.