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. Overall design: miRNA profiles in human epidermal keratinocytes which were cultured at some specific temperatures or with 100 nM rapamycin.