5.4 Skin Cells

Two types of skin cells can be used for gene therapy Skin Fibroblasts which are easily infected by retrovirus and grow well in vitro, and it was shown to express proteins such as adenine deaminase (ADA an enzyme found in B cells) and factor IX (protein involved in blood clot formation). Their reintroduction under the skin or by skin graft is cheaper than bone marrow transplantation, although these fibroblasts do not circulate in the blood stream skin keratinocytes. The primary cells in the epidermis are also suitable cells for gene therapy. Cultured cells from sheets that are often used to regenerate skin in burn victims.