Shh promotes sweat gland cell maturation in three-dimensional culture.

Zhijian Huang,Wei Yin,Zhourui Ma,Yunfang Zhen,Liya Zhang

doi:10.1007/s10561-016-9548-7

Abstract

Sweat gland (SG) cells forming SG tubule-like structures in 3D culture, this is one of the most important methods to identify the biological function of SG cells and stem cells-derived SG-like cells, but also the important way on research of SG regeneration in vitro. In this study, we seeded human fibroblasts and SG cells in gels and used immunohistochemistry to confirm whether SG tubule-like structures formed. Fibroblasts are necessary factor in the process of SG cells maturation and forming SG’s secretory region in 3D culture. Further experimentation revealed that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) was secreted by fibroblasts within the 3D culture. By adding Shh protein to 3D culture, there had more SG tubule-like structures formed. These results suggest that Shh is an important factor during the process of forming SG tubule-like structures in 3D cultures, and adding Shh recommbinant protein could promote SG cell maturation and enhance the efficiency of structure formation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10561-016-9548-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Sweat glands are one of the most important skin appendages; their main function is to perspire and control body temperature
We found that fibroblast was an essential factor for sweat gland cell forming tubule-like structures in 3D culture system; we demonstrated that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) was an important factor for sweat gland cells form tubule-like structures in 3D culture, and was secreted by fibroblasts; we found that adding extra Shh can enhance the efficiency of structure formation
We demonstrated that fibroblasts secrete Shh in the 3D culture and that fibroblasts interact with Sweat gland (SG) cells when co-cultured in the gel

Summary

Introduction

Sweat glands are one of the most important skin appendages; their main function is to perspire and control body temperature. Sweat gland development is complicated, and the production of sweat glands ceases after birth; once sweat glands are destroyed, they cannot regenerate (Saga 2002). There are millions of burn injury patients every year across the world. Of these patients, approximately 10 % suffer severe full-thickness burns to their skin (Fu et al 2006). A common treatment for burn injuries is the use of skin allografts to cover the wounds (Cuono et al 1986; Naoum et al 2004; Burd and Chiu 2005). These, not involved sweat gland, increasing the patient’s pain

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Conclusion