[Cultivation of gingival keratinocytes on permeable membranes: simulation of the function of mouth cavity epithelium].

Cultured epithelial cells are used in in vitro studies. Gingival keratinocytes are usually grown adherent to the floor of the culture dish, whereby the basal side of the epithelium can not be approached. To be able to study barrier function and transepithelial transport processes the gingival keratinocytes were seeded on different permeable membranes as support material. Six primary keratinocyte cultures each using the explant technique were established on polycarbonate membranes with pore sizes 2-8 mm and on nylon. Secondary cultures were established accordingly as single-cell suspension. Primary cultures formed confluent epithelial cultures on all membranes tested, whereas in secondary culture confluent gingival keratinocyte epithelia were found on the polycarbonate membranes, only. Thus, gingival keratinocytes can be used to study barrier and transport functions in an in-vitro model.