Immortalized keratinocyte cell lines for tissue engineered 3D skin and epidermal modeling
prospects, challenges, and limitations.
Klijnhout JA, Bruno SP, Pell N, Paolini A, Murdoch C, Dubrac S, Rheinwald JG, van den Bogaard EH, Ali N, Masotti A, Smits JPH, “for COST Action CA21108”
Journal of Investigative DermatologyIn the feed 8 Oct 2026, published online 7 Oct 2026, issue 2026 Oct 07, added to PubMed 8 Oct 2026
Abstract
Immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes, including HaCaT, N/TERT-1, and N/TERT-2G keratinocytes, are increasingly being used as alternatives to primary human keratinocytes to produce epidermal and full-thickness skin equivalents. The use of immortalized cell lines requires a critical evaluation of their genotypes and functional characteristics to establish their suitability to model the epidermis in vitro. Here, we assess the accumulating evidence-based experimental data on HaCaT, N/TERT-1, and N/TERT-2G keratinocytes, as well as additional immortalized keratinocyte cell lines, to aid the skin biology community in choosing the most appropriate cells for modeling the epidermis and skin.
Abstract from PubMed
PMID 42848344 · DOI 10.1016/j.jid.2026.07.029