Immortalized Mouse EGFR Mutant M3-/- Epidermal Keratinocytes

The Immortalized Immortalized Mouse EGFR Mutant M3-/- Epidermal Keratinocytes were derived from primary keratinocytes of newborn EGFR null mice. The primary keratinocytes were immortalized in subsequent cultures after passaging for an extended period. The immortalized cells display similar phenotype to the primary keratinocytes including the cobblestone-shape morphology. The Immortalized Mouse EGFR Mutant M3-/- Epidermal Keratinocytes are non-tumorigenic. They also differentiate with increased calcium, maintain a relatively stable karyotype no more aberrant than cultured primary keratinocytes, and produce epidermis upon orthotopic grafting onto nude mouse hosts. The M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor is knocked out in these cells. Upon introduction of v-rasHa oncogene, the cells produce squamous cell carcinoma in orthotopic skin grafts. These cells are useful in studies focusing on epidermal keratinocyte biology and pathology.