Low temperature and mTOR inhibition favor stem cell maintenance in human keratinocyte cultures [miRNA-seq]

Purpose: Comparison of genes expression pattern in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) which were cultured at several specific temperatures or with rapamycin. Methods: Basically, NHEKs were cultured with irradiated 3T3J2 feeder cells in cFAD medium (Pr Green's method) for 1 week. NHEKs were cultured at 32, 35, 36, 37 and 38 degrees C from beginning to end of cell culture, respectively. Furthermore, 100 nM rapamycin-added cFAD medium and ed at 37 degrees C. 7days after cell cuture, NHEKs were harvested for RNAseq analysis. Results: The culture condition at 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C with rapamycin maintained human epidermal keratinocyte stem cells. Conclusions: mTORC1 inhibition via temperature changes favors ex vivo maintenance of human epidermal keratinocyte stem cells. miRNA profiles in human epidermal keratinocytes which were cultured at some specific temperatures or with 100 nM rapamycin.