Induction of Hard Keratin Expression in Non-Nail-Matrical Keratinocytes by Nail-Matrical Fibroblasts Through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions

The study investigated whether nail-matrical fibroblasts could induce hard keratin expression in non-nail-matrical keratinocytes. Skin equivalents were created by coculturing ventral keratinocytes with either ventral fibroblasts or nail-matrical fibroblasts, and nail-matrical keratinocytes with ventral fibroblasts. Results showed that hard keratin was expressed in groups where nail-matrical fibroblasts were present, indicating that these fibroblasts could induce hard keratin expression in non-nail-matrical keratinocytes. This suggested potential applications for non-nail-matrical epidermal grafts in treating nail injuries and reconstructing lost nails using tissue-engineered nail equivalents.