StratiCELL expands its testing offer to women’s health

The human vaginal mucosa is comprised of a protective multilayered epithelium with a squamous, stratified structure of non-keratinized cells. Its colonization by a rich, complex microbial flora is a natural defense against urogenital infections.

Throughout a woman’s life, this vaginal epithelium is subject to strong physiological variations which, combined with the use of external chemical molecules, can lead to intimate discomforts such as irritation, dryness and dysbiosis. The safety of these external agents, whether hygiene or skincare products, must therefore be demonstrated, in addition to objectification of their biological efficacy. Traditionally, these safety and efficacy tests were carried out on ex vivo rodent vaginal explants.

Today, for obvious animal ethical reasons, these tests are more commonly performed on human vaginal cells in monolayer cell culture. However, these 2D models miss the differentiation and barrier properties of a living organ. Only 3D organoid reconstructions can approach the structure and functionality of living vaginal tissue. As a provider of in vitro dermo-cosmetic testing, StratiCELL achieved the reconstruction of 3D Human Vaginal Epithelium (HVE) from isolated vulvar epithelial cells. Cultured under controlled conditions on microporous supports and at the air/liquid interface, the team succeeded in reconstructing 3D tissue histologically similar to natural vaginal tissue. Indeed, Hemalun/Eosin-stained paraffin-embedded sections clearly showed that these epithelia display a non-keratinized stratified structure typical of living human vaginal epithelium [FIG1].

In addition, HVEs react in the expected way to cytotoxic stress with benzalkonium chloride (BZK), a harmful antiseptic and spermicidal agent. Significant structural alterations are observed on Hemalun/Eosin-stained paraffin-embedded sections of HVEs treated with increasing doses of BZK, even leading to a complete tissue destruction in the case of high doses of BZK [FIG 2].

Finally, ELISA tests carried out on BZK-treated HVE culture media also demonstrated an encouraging inflammatory response linked to interleukin-1-β release, confirming the physiological relevance of this new in vitro 3D model [FIG 3].

Today, StratiCELL’s teams are progressing on the development of this new 3D model, focusing on the vaginal microbiota and understanding its biological response, in order to offer in the near future a tool for studying the efficacy and safety of new women’s health products.

CONTACT

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