Co-culture system of human skin equivalents with mouse neural spheroids

This study describes a co-culture system of human skin equivalents (HSEs) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We prepared spheroids of mouse DRG neurons with or without Schwann cells (SCs). Spheroids comprising DRG neurons and SCs showed longer neurite extensions than those comprising DRG neurons alone. Neurite extension of more than 1 mm was observed from spheroids cultured inside HSEs, whereas neurite extension was primarily observed on the surface of HSEs from spheroids cultured on HSEs. We propose that our model may be a useful tool for studying neurite extension in the human skin. & COPY; 2023, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents a co-culture system of human skin equivalents (HSEs) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Spheroids of mouse DRG neurons with or without Schwann cells (SCs) were prepared. Spheroids with DRG neurons and SCs exhibited longer neurite extensions compared to those with DRG neurons alone. Neurite extension of more than 1 mm was observed from spheroids cultured inside HSEs, while neurite extension was primarily observed on the surface of HSEs from spheroids cultured on HSEs. This model may be a useful tool for studying neurite extension in human skin.