Biomimetic gender-specific human skin model based on gonads/epidermis-on-a-chip.
Summary
This study establishes a human gonads/epidermis-on-a-chip that couples ex vivo epidermis with gonadal cell aggregates, enabling sex hormone crosstalk studies. Estradiol increased keratinocyte proliferation and reduced apoptosis, whereas testosterone promoted differentiation and hyperkeratosis, mirroring known sex differences. The platform supports sex-specific testing for cosmetic and biomedical applications.
Key Findings
- Developed a microfluidic gonads/epidermis-on-a-chip integrating ex vivo human epidermis with gonadal cell aggregates.
- Estradiol enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and reduced apoptosis in the epidermis.
- Testosterone promoted keratinocyte differentiation and induced epidermal hyperkeratosis, aligning with known sex differences.
Clinical Implications
This platform can reduce animal testing, inform sex-specific safety and efficacy profiling of dermatologic drugs and cosmetic ingredients, and guide personalized skin-care strategies.
Why It Matters
Introduces a gender-specific human skin-on-a-chip that captures endocrine-epidermal crosstalk, a critical gap in preclinical testing. The model mechanistically explains sex differences and enables sex-aware evaluation of skin products and drugs.
Limitations
- Model lacks full-thickness dermal components, vasculature, and appendages.
- Donor variability and quantitative hormone pharmacokinetics were not fully characterized.
Future Directions
Integrate dermal/vascular compartments and appendages, validate across diverse donors and hormone ranges, and apply to regulatory-grade testing of cosmetic ingredients and dermatologic therapeutics.
Study Information
- Study Type
- Case series
- Research Domain
- Pathophysiology
- Evidence Level
- V - Mechanistic in vitro/ex vivo model study without clinical interventions.
- Study Design
- OTHER