Name: isolation, culture, and characterization of primary schwann cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts from human foreskin
Uploaded: 2022-03-23T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Schwann Cells, Keratinocytes, and Fibroblasts from Human Foreskin at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Dr. Fadia Kamal, and Dr. Reyad Elbarbary for allowing us to use lab instruments and technical support. This work was supported by grants from the NIH (K08 AR060164-01A) and DOD (W81XWH-16-1-0725) to J. C. E. in addition to institutional support from the Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical Center.

Acquisition and use of de-identified human foreskin tissue for research purposes was reviewed and received the determination of &#34;not human research&#34; by the Penn State College of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB #17574).
NOTE: By following the protocol below, 2.4 x 106 keratinocytes, 4.4 x 106 fibroblasts and 1.1 x 106 SCs are obtained from a single foreskin. In general, these primary cells can be used for 3 passages, depending on the experimenta...

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	<li>Hawksworth, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advantages+and+disadvantages+of+using+human+cells+for+pharmacological+and+toxicological+studies.">Advantages and disadvantages of using human cells for pharmacological and toxicological studies.</a> Human &amp; Experimental Toxicology. 13 (8), 568-573 (1994).</li><li>Green, H., Kehinde, O., Thomas, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Growth+of+cultured+human+epidermal+cells+into+multiple+epithelia+suitable+for+grafting.">Growth of cultured human epidermal cells into multiple epithelia suitable for grafting.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 76 (11), 5665-5668 (1979).</li><li>Fuchs, E., Green, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+keratin+gene+expression+during+terminal+differentiation+of+the+keratinocyte.">Changes in keratin gene expression during terminal differentiation of the keratinocyte.</a> Cell. 19 (4), 1033-1042 (1980).</li><li>Aasen, T., Izpisua Belmonte, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+cultivation+of+human+keratinocytes+from+skin+or+plucked+hair+for+the+generation+of+induced+pluripotent+stem+cells.">Isolation and cultivation of human keratinocytes from skin or plucked hair for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells.</a> Nature Protocols. 5 (2), 371-382 (2010).</li><li>Seluanov, A., Vaidya, A., Gorbunova, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishing+primary+adult+fibroblast+cultures+from+rodents.">Establishing primary adult fibroblast cultures from rodents.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (44), e2033 (2010).</li><li>Belviso, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+adult+human+dermal+fibroblasts+from+abdominal+skin+and+generation+of+induced+pluripotent+stem+cells+using+a+non-integrating+method.">Isolation of adult human dermal fibroblasts from abdominal skin and generation of induced pluripotent stem cells using a non-integrating method.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (155), e60629 (2020).</li><li>Silva, W. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+Schwann+cells+in+cutaneous+wound+healing.">Role of Schwann cells in cutaneous wound healing.</a> Wound Repair and Regeneration. 26 (5), 392-397 (2018).</li><li>Bray, E. R., Cheret, J., Yosipovitch, G., Paus, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Schwann+cells+as+underestimated,+major+players+in+human+skin+physiology+and+pathology.">Schwann cells as underestimated, major players in human skin physiology and pathology.</a> Experimental Dermatology. 29 (1), 93-101 (2020).</li><li>Laverdet, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Skin+innervation:+important+roles+during+normal+and+pathological+cutaneous+repair.">Skin innervation: important roles during normal and pathological cutaneous repair.</a> Histology and Histopathology. 30 (8), 875-892 (2015).</li><li>Jessen, K. R., Mirsky, R., Lloyd, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Schwann+cells:+Development+and+role+in+nerve+repair.">Schwann cells: Development and role in nerve repair.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. 7 (7), 020487 (2015).</li><li>Bentley, C. A., Lee, K. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=p75+is+important+for+axon+growth+and+Schwann+cell+migration+during+development.">p75 is important for axon growth and Schwann cell migration during development.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience. 20 (20), 7706-7715 (2000).</li><li>Rutkowski, J. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Signals+for+proinflammatory+cytokine+secretion+by+human+Schwann+cells.">Signals for proinflammatory cytokine secretion by human Schwann cells.</a> Journal of Neuroimmunology. 101 (1), 47-60 (1999).</li><li>Kumar, A., Brockes, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nerve+dependence+in+tissue,+organ,+and+appendage+regeneration.">Nerve dependence in tissue, organ, and appendage regeneration.</a> Trends in Neurosciences. 35 (11), 691-699 (2012).</li><li>Balakrishnan, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insights+into+the+role+and+potential+of+Schwann+cells+for+peripheral+nerve+repair+from+studies+of+development+and+injury.">Insights into the role and potential of Schwann cells for peripheral nerve repair from studies of development and injury.</a> Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 13, 608442 (2020).</li><li>Gresset, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Boundary+caps+give+rise+to+neurogenic+stem+cells+and+terminal+glia+in+the+skin.">Boundary caps give rise to neurogenic stem cells and terminal glia in the skin.</a> Stem Cell Reports. 5 (2), 278-290 (2015).</li><li>Stratton, J. 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This protocol describes a method to isolate three distinct cell populations from a single piece of the foreskin, namely keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and Schwann cells. There are a few isolation protocols available to isolate keratinocytes and fibroblasts2,3,5,6, but none describe SC isolation. Apart from the key structural cells in skin, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts, skin is also highly innerv...

Primary cells derived from living tissue and cultured under in vitro conditions closely resemble the physiological state1, making them an ideal model for investigating physiological and pathophysiological processes. The skin contains multiple cell types, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, sebocytes, melanocytes, and Schwann cells (SCs), which can be isolated and cultured for in vitro experiments. Methods to isolate and culture keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and SCs, from a single piece of skin, have not been described. The goal of this protocol is twofold: 1) to establish a reliable and reproducible method for the isolation of and culturing of dermal SCs and 2) to use an efficient, robust method for the isolation of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and SCs from a single human foreskin.
At present, there are established protocols to isolate skin keratinocytes2,3,4 and fibroblasts5,6. These studies describe the isolation of either keratinocytes, fibroblasts, or both from the skin, but no protocol addresses how to establish cultures of primary SCs from human skin. Recent studies suggest that neuronal SCs modulate keratinocyte and fibroblast cellular processes and regulate normal skin physiological functions7. SCs are thus critical to skin homeostasis and contribute substantially to the regulate physiology that influences the behavior of neighboring skin cell types present8. Therefore, a protocol that allows for the isolation of each of these cell types is ideal for in vitro experiments involving cell-cell communication or cross-talk between cell types.
This protocol describes the establishment of individual cell cultures of primary cells from a single piece of skin. This protocol is particularly useful when the amount of tissue available is limited. Moreover, isolation of all three cell types from a single donor allows for robust comparisons between cell types or co-culture experiments while mitigating the influence of genetics during the desired experiment.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.22 &#181;M sterile filters (Millex-GP Syringe Filter Unit,polyethersulfone)</td>
			<td>MilliporeSigma</td>
			<td>SLGPR33RS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70 &#181;M cell strainers</td>
			<td>CELLTREAT</td>
			<td>229483</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 &#181;M cell strainers</td>
			<td>CELLTREAT</td>
			<td>229485</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 mL disposable syringes</td>
			<td>BD Luer-Lok</td>
			<td>BD-309659</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5 mL disposable syringes (Syringe sterile, single use)</td>
			<td>BD Luer-Lok</td>
			<td>BD309646</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 mL disposable syringes</td>
			<td>BD Luer-Lok</td>
			<td>BD305462</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1% TritonX-100</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>X100-1L</td>
			<td>Prepared at the time of use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4% paraformaldehyde solution</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>J19943.K2</td>
			<td>Ready to use and store at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5% BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A7906-100G</td>
			<td>Prepared at the time of use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70% ethanol</td>
			<td>Pharmco</td>
			<td>111000200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic</td>
			<td>ScienCell Research</td>
			<td>503</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chemometec Vial1-Cassette</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>NC1420193</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>17018-029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslip</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>12544D 22*50-1.5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dispase I</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D46693</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM basal medium</td>
			<td>ScienCell Research</td>
			<td>9221</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s phosphate-buffered saline free from Ca2+ and Mg2+ (DPBS)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>&#160;21-031-CV)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nunc 15 mL Conical Sterile Polypropylene Centrifuge Tubes</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>339651</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nunc 50 mL Conical Sterile Polypropylene Centrifuge Tubes</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>339653</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL micro-centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>02-681-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10082147</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fibroblast complete medium</td>
			<td>ScienCell Research</td>
			<td>2331</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) Highly Cross-Adsorbed Secondary Antibody, Alexa Fluor 594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11032</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:500)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L) Cross-Adsorbed Secondary Antibody, Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11008</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:500)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hanks&#39; Buffered Saline Solution (HBSS buffer)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-5022</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human foreskin</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>De-identified human foreskin tissue for research purposes (Institutional Review Board- IRB #17574).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KGM-GOLD keratinocyte medium (KGM gold and supplements)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>00192151 and 00192152</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-9760-82</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:200)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse Cytokeratin14 antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab7800</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:100)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse S100 antibody</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>MA5-12969</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:200)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multi chambered (4 well glass slide)</td>
			<td>Tab-Tek</td>
			<td>154526</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NucleoCounter -Via1-Cassette</td>
			<td>Chemometec</td>
			<td>941-0012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Lysisne (PLL)</td>
			<td>ScienCell Research</td>
			<td>32503</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ProLong Gold Anti-fade Mountant with DAPI</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P36935</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit K10 antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>SAB4501656</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:100)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit p75-NTR antibody</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>AB1554</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:500)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit vimentin</td>
			<td>ProteinTech</td>
			<td>10366-1-AP</td>
			<td>Dilution (1:200)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Schwann cell culture medium</td>
			<td>ScienCell Research</td>
			<td>1701</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Precision tweezers DUMONT straight with extra fine tips Dumostar, 5</td>
			<td>ROTH</td>
			<td>LH75.1</td>
			<td>Sterilize with 70% alcohol before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IRIS Scissors, sharp/sharp. Length 4&#8211;3/8&#34;(111mm)</td>
			<td>Codman</td>
			<td>54-6500</td>
			<td>Sterilize with 70% alcohol before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterilized surgical - sharp blade (Duro Edge Economy Single Edge Blades)</td>
			<td>Razor blade company</td>
			<td>94-0120</td>
			<td>Sterilize with 70% alcohol before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T25 culture flask</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353109</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin neutralization buffer (TNS)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-5002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin/EDTA</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-5012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted microscope</td>
			<td>ZEISS</td>
			<td>Axio Observer 7- Axiocam 506 mono &#8211; Apotome.2 microscope</td>
			<td>For immunofluorescence of chamber slide containing stained cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted microscope</td>
			<td>ZEISS</td>
			<td>Primovert</td>
			<td>For visulaizing/observing cell attachment or detachment</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation, culture, and characterization of primary schwann cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts from human foreskin

This protocol describes isolation methods, culturing conditions, and characterization of human primary cells with high yield and viability using rapid enzymatic dissociation of skin. Primary keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and Schwann cells are all harvested from the human newborn foreskin, which is available following standard of care procedures. The removed skin is disinfected, and the subcutaneous fat and muscle are removed using a scalpel. The method consists of enzymatic and mechanical separation of epidermal and dermal layers, followed by additional enzymatic digestion to obtain single-cell suspensions from each of these skin layers. Finally, single cells are grown in appropriate cell culture media following standard cell culture protocols to maintain growth and viability over weeks. Together, this simple protocol allows isolation, culturing, and characterization of all three cell types from a single piece of skin for in vitro evaluation of skin-nerve models. Additionally, these cells can be used together in co-cultures to gauge their effects on each other and their responses to in vitro trauma in the form of scratches performed robotically in the culture associated with wound healing.

Normal neonatal foreskin was used for the isolation of primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal SCs and fibroblasts. The isolated primary cells were cultured in respective cell culture media containing growth factors. After seeding of SCs and fibroblast in culture flasks, most of the cells adhered to the bottom of the flask within 2 h. In the case of keratinocytes, most keratinocytes adhered by 24 h. Isolated epidermal primary keratinocytes reached 85% confluence by day 7 and exhibited characteristic cell morphology (c...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Schwann Cells, Keratinocytes, and Fibroblasts from Human Foreskin at JoVE.com

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Schwann Cells, Keratinocytes, and Fibroblasts from Human Foreskin

The study of wound healing associated with musculoskeletal injury often requires the assessment of in vitro interactions between Schwann cells (SCs), keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. This protocol describes the isolation, culturing, and characterization of these primary cells from the human foreskin.

This protocol describes isolation methods, culturing conditions, and characterization of human primary cells with high yield and viability using rapid ...

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