Rat Epidermal Keratinocytes

The epidermal layer of the skin provides an essential function as a protective barrier against insults from the external environment. The predominant cell type in the epidermis is keratinocytes which account for around 85% of living epidermal cells. They are so named because the most abundant protein in this cell type is keratin. Keratinocytes belong to stratified squamous epithelia. Progenitors of keratinocytes reside and divide in the basal layer of the epidermis. They then differentiate, migrate towards the surface of epidermis, and eventually withdraw from the cell cycle permanently. Keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death are complex and carefully choreographed processes. Apart from their protective functions, keratinocytes express adhesion molecules and cytokines, further suggesting an implication in skin innate immunity, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, cancer development, and skin-based gene-therapy.

REK from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from neonatal rat skin. REK are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. REK are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to cytokeratin-18. REK are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. REK are guaranteed to further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, REK are not recommended for long-term cultures due to limited expansion capacity and senescence after subculturing.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Keratinocyte Medium (KM, Cat. #2101) for culturing REK in vitro.

Catalog No.	R2100
Country of Manufacture	United States
Product Code	REK
Size/Quantity	5 x 10^5 cells/vial
Product Use	This product is for research use only. It is not approved for use in humans, animals, or in vitro diagnostic procedures.
Storage	Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keepthe cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture needed for experiments.
Shipping Info	Dry ice.
References	[1] Eckert, R. L., Efimova, T., Dashti, S. R., Balasubramanian, S., Deucher, A., Crish, J. F., Sturniolo, M. and Bone, F. (2002) Keratinocyte survival, differentiation, and death: many roads lead to mitogen-activated protein kinase. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc 7(1):36-40. [2] Song, P. I., Park, Y. M., Abraham, T., Harten, B., Zivony, A., Neparidze, N., Armstrong, C. A. and Ansel, J. C. (2002) Human keratinocytes express functional CD14 and toll-like receptor 4. J Invest Dermatol 119(2):424-32. [3] de Panfilis, G., Semenza, D., Lavazza, A., Mulder, A. A., Mommaas, A. M. and Pasolini, G. (2002) Keratinocytes constitutively express the CD95 ligand molecule on the plasma membrane: an in situ immunoelectron microscopy study on ultracryosections of normal human skin. Br J Dermatol. 147(1):7-12.