Application

Primary Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK) are isolated from the epidermis of adult skin (different locations) from pooled donors. They are the major cell type in the epidermis, making up about 90% of the cells. Epidermal keratinocytes originate in the stratum basale and move up through the layers of the epidermis. During this movement, they undergo gradual differentiation and morphology changes until they reach the stratum corneum, where they form a layer of nucleus-free, flat, and highly keratinized squamous cells. This layer forms an effective barrier to the entry of infectious agents into the body and minimizes moisture loss.Keratinocytes are also able to produce a variety of cytokines, growth factors, interleukins and complement factors. Therefore keratinocytes are important for wound healing, inflammation, and immune response.Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) and Normal Human Epidermal Melanocytes (NHEM) cultured in M2 medium from the same donor are available on request.

Cell Line Origin

Skin

Legal Information

RNAlater is a registered trademark of Ambion, Inc.

Other Notes

The Cell Pellets can be stored indefinitely at -20°C, and for up to 1 month at 4°C. Note: The Cell Pellets will not freeze at -20°C. Always centrifuge product briefly before opening vial.

Physical form

Pellet is dissolved in RNAlater^® for downstream analysis of DNA, RNA or protein profiles. Cells are not revivable.

Quality

Rigid quality control tests are performed for each lot of the corresponding cells. They are tested for cell viability, cell morphology, growth performance and for cell-type specific markers. In addition, all cells have been tested for the absence of HIV-1, HIV-2, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1, HTLV-2 and microbial contaminants (fungi, bacteria, and mycoplasma).

Warning

Although tested negative for HIV-1, HIV-2, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, the cells – like all products of human origin – should be handled as potentially infectious. No test procedure can completely guarantee the absence of infectious agents.