Fatimah S.S.Chua K.Tan G.C.Azmi T.I.Tan A.E.Rahman H.A.2024-05-282024-05-2820131465324910.1016/j.jcyt.2013.05.0032-s2.0-84890901867https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84890901867&doi=10.1016%2fj.jcyt.2013.05.003&partnerID=40&md5=a4b43a7b4089786017ab4906fc89678ahttps://oarep.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/906023830235Background aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of air-liquid interface on the differentiation potential of human amnion epithelial cells (HAECs) to skin-like substitute in organotypic culture. Methods: HAECs at passage 1e2 were seeded onto a fibrin layer populated with human amnion mesenchymal cells to form the organotypic cultures. The organotypic HAECs were then cultured for 7, 14 and 21 d in two types of culture system: the submerged culture and the airliquid interface culture. Cell morphogenesis was examined under the light and electron microscopes (transmission and scanning) and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Organotypic HAECs formed a single layer epithelium after 3 wk in submerged as well as air-liquid interface cultures. Ultrastructurally, desmosomes were observed in organotypic HAECs cultured in the air-liquid interface but not in the submerged culture. The presence of desmosomes marked the onset of early epidermal differentiation. Organotypic HAECs were positive against anti-CK18 and anti-CK14 in both the submerged and the air-liquid interface cultures. The co-expression of CK14 and CK18 suggested that differentiation of HAECs into skin may follow the process of embryonic skin development. However, weak expression of CK14 was observed after 2 and 3 wk of culture in air-liquid interface. CK10, involucrin, type IV collagen and laminin-5 expression was absent in organotypic HAECs. This observation reflects the initial process of embryonic epidermal differentiation and stratification. Conclusions: Results from the present study suggest that the air-liquid interface could stimulate early differentiation of organotypic HAECs to epidermal cells, with a potential use for skin regeneration. � 2013, International Society for Cellular Therapy.en-USAir-liquid interfaceEpithelial stem cellsFibrinHuman amnionederived stem cellsOrganotypic cultureSkin regenerationArticle10301041158CYTRF