This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Skimune® Epi Platform
OECD Guideline Testing Platform
Skimune® Epi – in vitro reconstructed human epidermis.
Alcyomics have developed an in vitro model of human epidermis displaying characteristic histology and protein expression. Skimune® Epi offers end users an alternative to animal tests as the platform is fully humanised and cultured using a tissue culture scaffold as opposed to animal-based collagen material. Reduced reliance on animal products helps maintain batch consistency and reduces variability.
Skimune® Epi
Benefits of Skimune® Epi:
Fully humanised 3D epithelial model
Tailored to clients needs with the capacity for additional cell types, culture formats characterisation techniques etc. to best suit your research needs.
Solves the problem of the ban on animal testing for cosmeceuticals – 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive (EU Directive 76/768/EEC2), March 2009/2013.
Reduces development costs
Increases product safety profile
Get in touchSkimune® Epi provides a robust testing platform for epidermal irritation studies. Immunohistological characterisation of the model demonstrates an excellent keratin differentiation gradient (Figure 1 A), terminal stratum corneum staining through involucrin (Figure 1, B) and stratum granulosum staining with filaggrin (Figure 1, C). We have also developed this model to identify toxicological endpoints such as dose toxicity, cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis and the effects of test compounds or drugs to elicit cytokines, growth factors or chemokines.
Figure 1 : Skimune® Epi shows typical protein expression of the human epidermis.
Immunofluorescence staining for A) Cytokeratin 10 (Red), Cytokeratin 14 (Green), B) Involucrin (Red), Integrin Alpha 6 (Green), C) Filaggrin.
These results demonstrate the similarities to human epidermis
Immunofluorescence staining for A) Cytokeratin 10 (Red), Cytokeratin 14 (Green), B) Involucrin (Red), Integrin Alpha 6 (Green), C) Filaggrin.
These results demonstrate the similarities to human epidermis
OECD test methodology TG #439
Benefits of using Skimune® Epi for Test #439
Does not require the use of live animals,
Does not rely on animal products,
High throughput capabilities.
Get in touchOECD TG 439 is a test protocol for the evaluation of compound irritation on human epidermis. The test protocol involves the application of the test compound to the surface of the Skimune® Epi platform followed by an incubation time period.
The viability of the model after the incubation of the test compound is analysed via MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. The relative change in model viability is directly proportional to the corrosivity of the test compound. A greater than 50% reduction in model viability, after incubation with the test compound, classifies the compound as an irritant. Our validation of Skimune® Epi for OECD TG#439, (Figure 2) demonstrates excellent predictive correlation with gold standard test compounds.
The viability of the model after the incubation of the test compound is analysed via MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. The relative change in model viability is directly proportional to the corrosivity of the test compound. A greater than 50% reduction in model viability, after incubation with the test compound, classifies the compound as an irritant. Our validation of Skimune® Epi for OECD TG#439, (Figure 2) demonstrates excellent predictive correlation with gold standard test compounds.
Figure 2: Skimune® Epi shows typical responses to standard test compounds.
Skimune® Epi Platform
Read more