Swiss scientists have created a world-first 3D cellular model to develop lips in vitro. These cells retain characteristics similar to those of the original tissue. Thanks to this cellular model, it will now be possible to test new treatments against lip injuries and other infections, such as cleft lips and chapped lips, in the laboratory.
Lips are an essential part of our body. They allow you to enjoy food, drink, talk or even kiss. But these fleshy parts of the face are much more complex than other parts of our body because of the fragility of their skin. Defects in these tissues can be very disfiguring, while human labial cells are difficult to obtain. And even if we have them, they are not very effective. This slows down fundamental research in lip biology.
Creation of cell lines to indefinitely cultivate lips in vitro
So far, there are no human lip cell models to develop treatments for lip injuries and other infections. Fortunately, this could all change soon. Indeed, Swiss scientists announce the development of a model of lip cells that replicates continuously in the laboratory. They created cell lines that can be cultured indefinitely to create 3D models.
Deactivation of a gene that stops the life cycle of a cell
In their study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Swiss researchers say they worked on skin cells from tissue donated by two patients. One was being treated for a laceration of the lip, and the other for a cleft lip. Scientists used a retroviral vector to deactivate a gene linked to the life cycle of lip cells and their longevity. This modification allowed cells to reproduce indefinitely and live longer.
Designed 3D models and infected these tissues with Candida albicans
During culture in a petri dish, the researchers rigorously tested the lip tissues to ensure that the genetic code of the cell lines remained stable during replication and retained the same characteristics as the primary cells. The treated samples allowed wound healing and skin cell growth. The scientists then developed 3D models and infected these tissues with Candida albicans. This yeast can cause serious infections in people with weak immune systems or cleft lips.
Towards the development of new treatments for lip injuries
The cells reacted as expected. Indeed, the new cell lines quickly invaded the model, mimicking the way the original labial tissue functions. They did not cause any chromosomal problems and did not proliferate in the agar. Additionally, they demonstrated protein and mRNA production similar to that of primary cells. Thanks to their cellular model, the Swiss researchers explain that it will now be possible to test new therapeutic options in the laboratory against lip injuries and other infections, such as cleft lips and chapped lips.
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