Alcyomics have developed an in vitro 3D autologous skin equivalent model as a testing platform which is representative of normal human skin tissue. Skimune® 3D is a full-thickness 3D human skin equivalent model containing dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes from the same healthy donor tissue providing an autologous system for the safety testing of drugs, chemicals and cosmetics as an alternative to animal models. 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 on cytokines, growth factors and chemokine levels.

Skimune® 3D is made using ReproCELL Europe’s highly porous polystyrene scaffold for 3D cell culture (Alvetex®). Cells grown in Alvetex® possess a natural tissue-like structure allowing them to behave more physiologically relevant. Cells are able to maintain their in vivo morphology, behaviour and responsiveness within the Skimune® 3D in vitro system.

Histopathological comparison of normal skin with the full-thickness 3D autologous human skin equivalent model (A.) and immunofluorescence for involucrin, loricrin and keratin XIV (protein markers of epidermal differentiation) and collagen III (B.). These results demonstrate that Skimune® 3D is representative of normal human tissue.