Organ culture of normal and psoriatic skin

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Abstract
Two hundred and sixty-four explants of adult human skin from 17 normal subjects, and 24 explants of psoriatic skin from 2 patients were grown in organ culture for up to 15 days. Growth was assessed histologically and by autoradiography after pulse labeling with tritiated thymidine. Three growth patterns were defined. Migration of basal cells, both around the dermis and through the prickle layer toward the surface, was confirmed. Although a PAS [periodic acid-schiff] positive basement membrane did not form beneath the epidermal cells which encapsulated the exposed dermis, these cells remained viable and continued to synthesize DNA. Phyto-haemagglutinin produced an inconstant stimulation of epidermal cell DNA synthesis. Psoriatic skin cultures showed epidermal changes which were qualitatively similar to, but evolved more rapidly than, those seen in normal skin. They remained viable for a maximum of 3 days.