STRATICELL - In Vitro Skin Models & Testing Dermo-Cosmetics

Based on extensive expertise in skin biology and tissue engineering, and through its technical platforms, StratiCELL is able to develop custom-made assays to meet the requirements of your projects. Please feel free to contact us to discuss any study that can be performed through in vitro experiments. StratiCELL is also positioned as a privileged partner for the development of in vitro models and methods, in exclusivity or through other agreements for subcontracting services. We are open to any proposal regarding the scientific and financial configuration of this type of project. The capacity to advise and support our customers’ projects, to set up key solutions for marketing claims, along with the quality of our services, have made StratiCELL a trusted partner of major international dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry players.

StratiCELL’s project is designed to model the interactions between the skin and its microbiota. To do this, we have set up a cutaneous microbiology laboratory, physically separate from our cell and tissue engineering laboratories, in order to master all the techniques and acquire the necessary know-how for culture, amplification, detection and quantification of some representative microbiological strains of the cutaneous microflora. Our aim is to integrate a microbiological component into our in vitro skin models in order to offer totally innovative approaches such as, for example, the study of prebiotic or probiotic formulas on the bacterial ecosystem or, the modelling of pathologies such as acne, dermatitis, body odour and dandruff.

StratiCELL can evaluate the re-epithelialization and wound healing properties of active ingredients and formulations using in vitro assays, and particularly through: Examples of assays performed at StratiCELL: Inflammatory cytokines quantification Cell migration (Scratch test) Invasion assay (Boyden chamber) Extracellular matrix remodelling activity evaluation Gene expression study of key biomarkers involved in wound healing processes

Senile lentigo or solar lentigines, also called age spots, are brown, grey or black spots located on the skin. They appear on areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun and are generally associated with skin ageing. Disturbed releases of growth factors are involved in the excessive proliferation of keratinocytes and production of melanin, characteristic of these types of lesions. StratiCELL has developed a unique in vitro RHE model of solar lentigines based on specific culture conditions that induce hyperproliferation of the epidermis as well as an increase in pigmentary lesions with histological similarity to in vivo observations. This model is a powerful tool for assessing the efficacy of compounds aimed at reducing age spots or improving their appearance.

Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease in which the Th17 and Th22 responses play a major role. StratiCELL has developed two models of 3D epidermis mimicking psoriatic features induced respectively by IL-17 and IL-22. Examples of assays performed at StratiCELL: Hyperplasia Parakeratosis Specific Biomarkers (DEFB4, S100A7, IL-19, …)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disorder involving a Th2 cell-mediated inflammatory response associated with barrier defects. The AD-RHE model from StratiCELL represents the typical features of the pathology induced by IL-4, IL-13 and IL-25 interleukins. Examples of assays performed at StratiCELL: Spongiosis Barrier function Specific Biomarkers (FLG, LOR, CA2, NELL2, HAS3, …)

StratiCELL has developed a range of assays to study the protective effects of compounds against acute inflammation induced by specific triggers such as UV radiation, phorbol myristate acetate, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, etc. Examples of assays performed at StratiCELL: Cytokines release (IL-1 α/ß, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, PGE2, …) NFκB translocation

The skin is composed of two major layers, i.e. a superficial epidermis and a deeper dermis. The hypodermis, deep to the dermis of skin, is the connective tissue that connects the dermis to underlying structures. It encloses adipose tissue for fat storage and protection. Adipose tissue is mostly composed of mature adipocytes whose primary function is to store and to release lipids according to the energy needs of the body. Adipose tissue is also composed of undifferentiated cells, i.e. mesenchymal stem cells and preadipocytes which can acquire the phenotype and functions of mature adipocytes via a process called adipogenesis.

Oily skin is one of the most common dermatologic concerns. It is due to an excessive sebum production, called hyperseborrhea. Sebum is produced by differentiated sebocytes. Our models Sebocytes derived from human iPSC 3 phototypes: Causasian, Asian, African

StratiCELL has developed standardised and flexible in vitro assays evaluating the “anti-pollution” effect of products by using real-life airborne pollutants and reference materials from diverse sources including urban dust, diesel exhaust particulates, and cigarette smoke extracts. Anti-pollution effects can be assessed through the quantification of multiple biomarkers directly associated with the skin response to pollution, such as: Activation of detoxification and antioxidative pathways Inflammation Barrier function In support of the functional studies, or as a screening tool, StratiCELL has also developed a TaqMan Low Density qPCR Array to study simultaneously 96 target genes of the multiple pathways involved in cell and tissue response against pollution.