Production of a lymphocyte differentiating factor (ELDIF) by cultured human epidermal cells.
Nicolas. J F JF; Dardenne. M M; Faure. M M; Gaucherand. M M; Gagneraut. M C MC; Thivolet. J J; Bach. J F JF
Key Findings
- Cultured human epidermal (skin) cells secrete a lymphocyte‑differentiating factor (ELDIF) that induces Thy‑1 on T‑cell precursors.
- ELDIF activity is strongest between days 10‑14 of cell culture, coinciding with early skin cell stratification.
- ELDIF is distinct from known thymic hormones such as thymulin, thymopoietin, and thymosin‑alpha‑1.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, this study doesn’t provide a new supplement or protocol to try. It mainly clarifies that skin‑derived factors are different from thymosin‑alpha‑1, so any claims about getting thymosin‑alpha‑1 benefits from topical skin products are unsupported by this data.
Summary
Scientists found that human skin cells release a substance that helps immature T‑cells mature, but this substance is not the same as the well‑known peptide thymosin‑alpha‑1. The activity peaks when the skin cells start to form layers, and it works independently of certain prostaglandins.
Abstract
T lymphocyte maturation activity of supernatants from cultured human epidermal cells was investigated using a biological rosette assay based upon Thy 1 induction on T cell precursors. Between days 5 and 18 of keratinocyte cultures, supernatants exhibited Thy 1-inductive properties. Optimal activity was found between days 10 and 14 of culture, which correspond to the beginning of epidermal cell stratification. This activity was independent of the presence of prostaglandin E. Absorption experiments using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies showed that ELDIF was different from other recognized thymic hormones (thymulin, thymopoietin, thymosin alpha 1), produced by thymic epithelial cells and known to induce T cell markers.
Study Information
pubmed
1985
10.1016/0165-2478(85)90012-4
8
14