biostudies-literatureUnknown4(10)Loo YOrganotypic skin cultures represent in vitro models of skin which can be used for disease modeling, tissue engineering, and screening applications. Non-human collagen is currently the gold standard material used for the construction of the supporting matrix, however, its clinical applications are limited due to its xenogeneic origin. We have developed a novel peptide hydrogel-based skin construct that shows a pluristratified epidermis, basement membrane, and dermal compartment after 3 weeks of in vitro culture. Peptide-based constructs were compared to collagen-based constructs and stratification marker expression was histologically higher in peptide constructs than in collagen constructs. Transepithelial electrical resistance also showed mature barrier function in peptide constructs. This study presents a novel application of the self-assembling peptide hydrogel in a defined xeno-free in vitro system.FASEB bioAdvances631-637https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9536085biostudies-literatureXeno-free self-assembling peptide scaffolds for building 3D organotypic skin cultures.PMC9536085Hauser CAEBenny PWan ACALoo YLane EBfalseXeno-free self-assembling peptide scaffolds for building 3D organotypic skin cultures.Organotypic skin cultures represent in vitro models of skin which can be used for disease modeling, tissue engineering, and screening applications. Non-human collagen is currently the gold standard material used for the construction of the supporting matrix, however, its clinical applications are limited due to its xenogeneic origin. We have developed a novel peptide hydrogel-based skin construct that shows a pluristratified epidermis, basement membrane, and dermal compartment after 3 weeks of in vitro culture. Peptide-based constructs were compared to collagen-based constructs and stratification marker expression was histologically higher in peptide constructs than in collagen constructs. Transepithelial electrical resistance also showed mature barrier function in peptide constructs. This study presents a novel application of the self-assembling peptide hydrogel in a defined xeno-free in vitro system.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-05T20:18:07.015Z2025-04-05T20:18:07.015ZS-EPMC95360853623836310.1096/fba.2022-00026