Advanced Science (Nov 2021)

Sweat Gland Organoids Originating from Reprogrammed Epidermal Keratinocytes Functionally Recapitulated Damaged Skin

  • Xiaoyan Sun,
  • Jiangbing Xiang,
  • Runkai Chen,
  • Zhijun Geng,
  • Lintao Wang,
  • Yiqiong Liu,
  • Shuaifei Ji,
  • Huating Chen,
  • Yan Li,
  • Cuiping Zhang,
  • Peng Liu,
  • Tao Yue,
  • Lei Dong,
  • Xiaobing Fu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202103079
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 22
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Restoration of sweat glands (SwGs) represents a great issue in patients with extensive skin defects. Recent methods combining organoid technology with cell fate reprogramming hold promise for developing new regenerative methods for SwG regeneration. Here, a practical strategy for engineering functional human SwGs in vitro and in vivo is provided. First, by forced expression of the ectodysplasin‐A in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) combined with specific SwG culture medium, HEKs are efficiently converted into SwG cells (iSwGCs). The iSwGCs show typical morphology, gene expression pattern, and functions resembling human primary SwG cells. Second, by culturing the iSwGCs in a special 3D culturing system, SwG organoids (iSwGOs) that exhibit structural and biological features characteristic of native SwGs are obtained. Finally, these iSwGOs are successfully transplanted into a mouse skin damage model and they develop into fully functioning SwGs in vivo. Regeneration of functional SwG organoids from reprogrammed HEKs highlights the great translational potential for personalized SwG regeneration in patients with large skin defects.

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