Growth and Differentiation of Human Keratinocytes Cultured on Eye Lens Capsules

The study investigated the growth of human epidermal and hair-follicle-sheath keratinocytes on different substrates: plastic, type-I collagen, and bovine eye lens capsules. It was found that eye lens capsules were the most effective substrate, as they facilitated a higher percentage of cultures with outgrowth and faster migration of epidermal keratinocytes compared to the other substrates. This was attributed to the presence of basement-membrane components, laminin and fibronectin, on the lens capsules, which mimic the in vivo environment. Additionally, the differentiation of keratinocytes on lens capsules was similar to those grown on irradiated, non-viable pig dermis, as indicated by the localization of bullous-pemphigoid antigen to the basal layer.