Three-Dimensional Skin Models of Psoriasis

Three-dimensional models of psoriatic skin occupy an intermediate position between cell cultures and animal-based models. Unlike cultured cells, they closely imitate changes in cell differentiation and metabolism, which are characteristic of psoriatic lesional skin. Because 3-dimensional models exclude nonspecific influences of the surrounding organs and tissues, in some studies they are preferred over animal-based models. Moreover, 3-dimensional models can be used for drug screening and testing new pharmacological approaches. In this paper, we discuss how 3-dimensional models of psoriatic lesional skin were created and developed. We also analyze their prospects in experimental studies of psoriasis. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel