Immortalized Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (SIK)

Description

The Immortalized Human Epidermal Keratinocytes SIK were derived from a sample of human foreskin and the serial cultivation of keratinocytes led to its spontaneous immortalization. The immortalized cells resemble normal human epidermal colonies but with dramatically increased levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as cyclin A. Treatment of the Immortalized Human Epidermal Keratinocytes SIK with either TGF-f or TPA were highly effective in preventing growth in low calcium medium which is similar to normal keratinocytes. Telomerase activity in the immortalized cells is stimulated approximately 5-fold by cultivation in the presence of epidermal growth factor EGF . The Immortalized Human Epidermal Keratinocytes SIK is useful in studies focusing on dermatology particularly in skin carcinogenesis as telomerase activation in human skin has been found to be associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation.