Development of an in vitro submerged culture system to synthesize epidermal ceramides in canine keratinocytes

Abstract

Ceramides (CERs) in the stratum corneum (SC) are known to play a crucial role in determining skin barrier function in dogs. We aimed to develop an in vitro culture system that synthesized epidermal CER classes to better understand the synthesis of CER classes in canine SC–. Canine keratinocyte cells (MSCEK) at appropriate confluency were incubated with high Ca2+ (1.8 mM CaCl2) supplemented serum-free medium. Eight days post Ca2+ application, the surface of cultured MSCEK was broadly stained with anti-loricrin antibody implying that the keratinocytes had stratified into stratum granulosum. MSCEK cells synthesized heterogenous epidermal CERs, similar to those seen during the stratification of canine keratinocytes. CER fractions obtained from MSCEK cells were comparable to those from canine SC, including CER[EOS] (combination of ω-hydroxy fatty acids and sphingosines), CER[NP] (combination of non-hydroxy fatty acids and phytosphingosines), and CER[EOP] (combination of ω-hydroxy fatty acids and phytosphingosines), all of which are lowered in the SC during canine atopic dermatitis. Thus, the present study provides a simple culture system as a tool for in-depth analysis of CER production in canine keratinocytes.