Development of Artificial Sebaceous Gland-Integrated In Vitro Human Skin Model

초록

Sebum plays a critical role in maintaining skin homeostasis, but its overproduction is associated with pore enlargement, acne, and other dermatological conditions. Acne causes physiological stress and reduced quality of life, contributing to social burden. Although various sebaceous gland models exist, including 2D, explant-based, and in vivo/ex vivo systems, each has limitations in longevity or physiological relevance. While in vitro 3D sebocyte models would be more suitable for screening, they still fall short in recapitulating interactions with key skin components like fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Here, a 3D skin model was developed to mimic the epidermis and dermal layer including sebaceous glands. Uniform 3D collagen-based artificial sebaceous glands, termed SebaSpheres, were produced using microfluidic technology. These SebaSpheres successfully accumulated lipids and expressed the differentiation marker, Blimp-1. SebaSpheres were integrated into the microwell-shaped dermal layer populated with fibroblasts, followed by the addition of keratinocytes (HaCaT) to establish an epidermis of the skin model. During co-culture, live/dead imaging indicated that all three cell types maintained viability. Involucrin expression was observed in HaCaT cells under co-culture conditions, indicating compatibility with sebocyte integration. This in vitro skin model provides a platform for future studies aimed at evaluating acne-related stimuli and cosmetic compounds targeting oily skin.

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