Improvement of Antioxidant Defenses in Keratinocytes Grown in Physioxia: Comparison of 2D and 3D Models

This study investigates the antioxidant status of keratinocytes grown under physioxia (1-3% O2) compared to normoxia, using both 2D and 3D models. It finds that physioxia promotes keratinocyte proliferation and results in a thinner epidermis due to slower cell differentiation. Under physioxia, keratinocytes produce less reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon stress, indicating better protection against oxidative stress. Despite lower or equivalent mRNA levels for antioxidant enzymes, there is higher activity for catalase and superoxide dismutases in physioxia. The study highlights the importance of oxygen levels and culture models in studying skin aging and suggests that physioxia conditions better mimic the in situ skin environment.