Proliferation of primary human keratinocytes during histogenesis in culture

We studied formation of epithelial cysts during cultivation of the primary keratinocytes in a collagen gel. Two stages--epithelial spheroid and cysts--can be recognized in the histogenesis process. Keratinocyte migration prevails at the initial stages of morphogenesis. The stage of spheroid can be described by active cell proliferation. Stratification of spheroid epithelium takes place at the stage of epithelial cysts, while the rate of keratinocytes proliferation decreases. Formation of epithelial cysts is induced by morphogene(s) of mesenchymal origin. The obtained data indicate partial dissociation of keratinocyte proliferation and migration during cytogenesis.