Human Eccrine Sweat Gland Cells Can Reconstitute a Stratified Epidermis

Abstract

Eccrine sweat glands are generally considered to be a possible epidermal stem cell source. Here we compared the multilayered epithelia formed by epidermal keratinocytes and those formed by eccrine sweat gland cells. We demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo the capability of human eccrine sweat gland cells to form a stratified interfollicular epidermis substitute on collagen hydrogels. This is substantiated by the following findings: (1) a stratified epidermis consisting of 10-12 cell layers is formed by sweat gland cells; (2) a distinct stratum corneum develops and is maintained after transplantation onto immuno-incompetent rats; (3) proteins such as filaggrin, loricrin, involucrin, envoplakin, periplakin, and transglutaminases I and III match with the pattern of the normal human skin; (4) junctional complexes and hemidesmosomes are readily and regularly established; (5) cell proliferation in the basal layer reaches homeostatic levels; (6) the sweat gland-derived epidermis is anchored by hemidesmosomes within a well-developed basal lamina; and (7) palmo-plantar or mucosal markers are not expressed in the sweat gland-derived epidermis. These data suggest that human eccrine sweat glands are an additional source of keratinocytes that can generate a stratified epidermis. Our findings raise the question of the extent to which the human skin is repaired and/or permanently renewed by eccrine sweat gland cells.

Isolation and Characterization of Sweat Gland Myoepithelial Cells from Human Skin

“…The ability of sweat glands to regenerate the straight duct was supported by the observation that the residues of human sweat glands following dermal trauma regenerated the dermal duct of sweat glands (Lobitz et al, 1956). Furthermore, Biedermann et al (2010) suggested that human sweat glands contain multipotent cells. They demonstrated that cells derived from microsurgically isolated sweat gland organs were capable of reconstituting a multilayered epidermis-like structure in vitro (Biedermann et al, 2010).…”

“…Furthermore, Biedermann et al (2010) suggested that human sweat glands contain multipotent cells. They demonstrated that cells derived from microsurgically isolated sweat gland organs were capable of reconstituting a multilayered epidermis-like structure in vitro (Biedermann et al, 2010). Although these studies suggested that sweat glands contain multipotent cells, it remains elusive which compartments of sweat glands contribute to the regeneration of the ductal portion and possess self-renewal ability.…”

Wpływ pola elektromagnetycznego na rezystancję skóry ludzkiej – pomiary in vivo

“…O wilgotności skóry decyduje liczba i aktywność wydzielnicza gruczołów potowych, szczególnie ekrynowych, których produkt to elektrolit, składający się niemal wyłącznie z wody. Im wyższa aktywność gruczołowa, tym wyższe stężenie elektrolitów, większe przewodnictwo elektryczne tkanki i mniejsza bioimpedancja [5,6,7,8].…”

Adult Gland Derived Stem Cells (Gdscs); Potentials, Hurdles and Expectations

“…Due to the abundance of sweat glands in relation to hair follicles in the majority of human skin areas, it has been hypothesized that another source of progenitors and/or stem cells within the sweat apparatus (duct and gland) can contribute to the skin wound repair [69][70][71].…”