Human epidermal T cells are particularly efficient at priming and cross-priming native CD8+ T cells into potent cytotoxic T cells. If we focus on Langerhans cells (LCs), the dendritic cell subset of the epidermis, some differences appear also between humans, pigs, and mice. In porcine skin, there are 11 cathelicidins but it is currently unknown which ones are effectively produced by keratinocytes. The predominant cathelicidins in human skin are L元7. They can also secrete a wide range of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidins that have a crucial protective role against bacterial skin infection. In humans, they are known to express a wide range of Toll-like receptors. Translating results from animal to humans can be challenging.Įpidermal keratinocytes are the first line of defense in the skin. However, there are significant differences between the mice and human immune system development, activation and response. As the mice’s immune system has been completely described, they are widely used to model the human immune system. To generate relevant data, important similarities are not only needed in the skin structure but also in the skin immune system. Therefore the mouse can not be a suitable model to study subcutaneous or intradermic injections.Īre human and animal skin immune systems similar?

In mice, the hypodermis is thinner as mouse skin is covered by a thick layer of fur. In humans and pigs, this fat layer is the main insulation component even though it is much thicker in pigs than humans. The hypodermis is the fatty subdermal layer of the skin.In mouse skin, the dermis is once again way thinner than in humans. Porcine dermal collagen is similar to human dermal collagen biochemically. Both human and porcine dermis is divided into a papillary layer ( pars papillaris ) and a reticular layer ( pars reticularis ). The dermis is mainly composed of collagen and elastin fibers.This upper layer is avascularized in all species studied. Small mammals have a much thinner epidermis. Pigskin has a similar epidermis as human skin, with a comparable thickness. As the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis is the main skin barrier, it is constituted mostly of keratinocytes.Human skin, as well as mouse skin and pigskin, is composed of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. Skin is the body’s largest organ and represents the first barrier of protection against external aggressions. What are the main differences between human and animal skin structure?

Skin goat definition