{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Long-term expansion and differentiation of adult murine epidermal stem cells in 3D organoid cultures.
{Author}: Boonekamp KE;Kretzschmar K;Wiener DJ;Asra P;Derakhshan S;Puschhof J;López-Iglesias C;Peters PJ;Basak O;Clevers H;
{Journal}: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
{Volume}: 116
{Issue}: 29
{Year}: 07 2019 16
{Factor}: 12.779
{DOI}: 10.1073/pnas.1715272116
{Abstract}: Mammalian epidermal stem cells maintain homeostasis of the skin epidermis and contribute to its regeneration throughout adult life. While 2D mouse epidermal stem cell cultures have been established decades ago, a long-term, feeder cell- and serum-free culture system recapitulating murine epidermal architecture has not been available. Here we describe an epidermal organoid culture system that allows long-term, genetically stable expansion of adult epidermal stem cells. Our epidermal expansion media combines atypically high calcium concentrations, activation of cAMP, FGF, and R-spondin signaling with inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Organoids are established robustly from adult mouse skin and expand over at least 6 mo, while maintaining the basal-apical organization of the mouse interfollicular epidermis. The system represents a powerful tool to study epidermal homeostasis and disease in vitro.