Characterization of cultured nail matrix cells

Background: Cultures of epidermal cells are commonly used to study skin biology and differentiation. Recently a method to culture nail matrix cells has been established. Objective: We report the biologic characteristics of nail matrix cells in vitro compared with those of epidermal keratinocytes. Methods: Human nail matrix cells were isolated and cultured in defined medium. Electron-microscopic examination, growth rate, integrin expression and keratin synthesis pattern were evaluated. In addition, the cells were cultured in serum-containing medium. Results: Nail matrix cells appear to be larger than human epidermal keratinocytes and, at the ultrastructural level, they contain a higher euchromatin/heterochromatin ratio and a lower nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and have a higher growth rate. The synthesis of 'hard' keratins was detected at all calcium concentrations. Immunofluorescence analyses showed the expression of α2, α3, and α6 integrin subunits. When cultured in serum-containing medium, nail matrix cells produced an outgrowth of epithelium and a spontaneous migration phenomenon associated with a tendency to stratify in a semilunar area that resembles the architecture of the nail matrix. The pluristratified epithelium showed characteristic markers of nail differentiation. Conclusion: Culture of nail matrix cells may represent a useful model to study the biologic properties of nail structure, alterations in some nail diseases and the effects of drugs.