Differences in the growth-promoting effect of normal and peritumoral dermis on epidermis in vitro

Abstract

The response of embryonic epidermis on the basis of histologic transformation in tissue culture was studied when epithelium was associated with normal, peritumoral, inflammatory or cicatricial human dermis. The proliferation of embryonic epidermis was stimulated under the influence of peritumoral dermis; such action, however, was not so pronounced in the case of normal adult or inflammatory dermis. The promotor activity of peritumoral connective tissue was very similar to that observed when embryonic dermis and epidermis are combined in vitro. In order to determine the characteristics of such action, peritumoral dermis was submitted to different treatments; it was established that trypsin and heat reduced its stimulating property. However, this property proved resistant to freezing and thawing. When the dermis was incubated with collagenase, the harmonious stratification of the epithelial layers was no longer maintained.