2 weeks Ago
Listen to Story Scientists in Switzerland have successfully created lab-grown human lip cell models for treating lip-related conditions. Lips are essential for communication, eating, breathing, and expressing emotions. However, their unique structure makes them difficult to replicate for research purposes.
However, in a new study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology , researchers have developed "immortalised" lip cells, which can be reproduced indefinitely in lab settings — a first in lip research. Dr Martin Degen, a researcher of the study, University of Bern, highlighted the significance of lips in facial appearance and functionality. "The lip is a very prominent feature of our face," Degen said, explaining that any damage to this delicate tissue can be highly noticeable and challenging to treat.
Collaborating with the University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery, researchers used donated lip tissue from patients who underwent procedures for conditions such as cleft lip (a birth defect when the upper lip doesn't fully join together) and lip lacerations (lip cut). The team chose to use donated primary lip cells as a starting point. While these cells closely mirror real lip tissue, they have limitations because they are difficult to obtain and cannot be grown indefinitely.
To overcome this, scientists altered specific genes in the cells, creating "immortalised" versions capable of continuous growth without losing their characteristics. After rigorous testing, the researchers confirmed that these lab-grown cells retained the genetic stability of natural lip cells and did not develop cancerous traits. Tests showed that the cells behaved similarly to primary lip cells, producing the same types of proteins and mRNA.
The team also verified the cell lines’ safety by attempting to grow them on soft agar, a medium where only cancer cells typically thrive. The lip cells, however, failed to grow, confirming their safe profile. To see how these cells could be used in future treatments, the team conducted wound healing tests.
They scratched samples of the cells and observed the healing process, which mirrored typical wound repair in real lips. The team also created 3D lip models infected with the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems. The lip models responded accurately, showing their potential in studying infections.
.
