# FETAL SKIN BIOLOGY

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 1993 · $251,339

## Abstract

Our previous studies of the development of both normal and abnormal human
skin have documented changes in the expression of various
differentiation-specific markers coordinate with the morphology of the
tissue. This work has provided a coherent picture of cutaneous
development and identified events and periods of development which are
presumed to be critical in establishing the template of the normal, adult
skin. We are now placing more emphasis in our studies on understanding
the kinds of cellular interactions that occur to effect the changes
described and will address the role of cell-cell and tissue interactions
in modulating niorphogenesis and differentiation of the skin. These kinds
of interactions are best exemplified in the formation of epidermal
appendages, hence the focus of this proposal on the formation of
pilosebaceous structures. We are using a very well characterized system
that can be studied directly in vivo (fresh tissue) and experimentally in
vitro (cell culture, organ culture, grafting). We have developed the
suspension organ culture which supports, reproducibly, the formation and
continued development of epidermal appendages (see preliminary data and
appendix) for as long as 60 days and maintains, and permits growth, of
epidermis and dermis in an apparently normal manner. We are unaware of
any other human skin culture system which has this potential. This
culture system will be used to identify the requirements for the
induction, initiation, growth, differentiation and maintenance of
epidermal appendages in developing human skin, and to determine the
presumptive roles of epithelial (keratinocytes) and mesenchymal cells in
the interaction. We will focus on parts played by growth factors (NGF,
EGF, POGF, TGF-8) and their receptors (some of which specifically
influence epithelial cells, others which are specific for mesenchymal
cells), matrix components (collagen types 1, 111, V and VI; fibronectin
and collagenase), other relevant molecules (e.g., minoxidil) and nerve
fibers in hair follicle development. Skin from patients affected with
X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a genetic disorder in which
development and postnatal abnormalities of appendage formation are the
hallmark of the diseases, will be studied in order to determine whether
any of the growth factors, etc. identified to be important in the
ontogeny of appendages are abnormally expressed in the adult tissue.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197506
- **Project number:** 5R37HD017664-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HD1WMN6945W6
- **Principal Investigator:** LYNNE T SMITH
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $251,339
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-07-01 → 1995-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197506

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197506, FETAL SKIN BIOLOGY (5R37HD017664-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197506. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*