Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of solar lentigo (SL). The inventors established an in vitro model of primary fibroblasts isolated from SL (FL) and perilesional (FS) biopsies, which were collected from a cohort of 10 volunteers. Then, the inventors defined morphological and functional characteristics of both dermal cells. The inventors demonstrated by immunofluorescence studies differential morphological features with FL displaying elongated shape, a thin epidermis, disorganized basement membrane, intense melanin deposition and elongated rete ridges collapsing into the dermis and FS presented flattened morphology. Moreover, both fibroblasts demonstrated distinct functional characteristics with FL exhibiting a lower proliferation rate and migration capacity, senescent-like phenotype as well as a higher ability to secrete KGF, HGF, SCF, IL-13 and TGF?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an unshrunken tissue equivalent. Said method is comprising in that: a mixture is produced that contains at least one element of an extracellular matrix; at least one pluridimensional medium is soaked with said mixture; from the components of the mixture, a lattice comprising at least one element of an extracellular matrix is produced, at least at the medium; at least part of the components of said mixture is attached to the structure of the medium; the shrinking of at least the lattice is prevented and at least said lattice is tensioned on said medium; fibroblasts are integrated into the lattice and at least one cell culture of said fibroblasts is carried out, at least in the lattice. The invention also relates to a method for producing a skin equivalent that comprises at least one dermal equivalent formed by an unshrunken tissue equivalent and at least one epidermal equivalent.

Abstract: A diffusion insert (1) for a membrane (5), includes a cup (2) defining a donor compartment (20) receiving a donor solution, the base thereof defining an axial port (22) sealed by the membrane (5), a clamping element (3) to pin down the membrane (5), an element for axially locking (4) the clamping element (3), a deformation element (6) capable of deforming the membrane (5) and of protecting the lateral movement directly tangential to the deformation element (6), characterized in that the insert includes a return element (7) for deforming and radially stretching the membrane (5) in a controlled manner. A kit, a cell, a diffusion unit, and a diffusion method for implementing the diffusion insert are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an unshrunken tissue equivalent. Said method is comprising in that: a mixture is produced that contains at least one element of an extracellular matrix; at least one pluridimensional medium is soaked with said mixture; from the components of the mixture, a lattice comprising at least one element of an extracellular matrix is produced, at least at the medium; at least part of the components of said mixture is attached to the structure of the medium; the shrinking of at least the lattice is prevented and at least said lattice is tensioned on said medium; fibroblasts are integrated into the lattice and at least one cell culture of said fibroblasts is carried out, at least in the lattice. The invention also relates to a method for producing a skin equivalent that comprises at least one dermal equivalent formed by an unshrunken tissue equivalent and at least one epidermal equivalent.

Abstract: A method for measuring the location of an object in an observed space by means of a fixed observation system connected to a processing unit for generation of an image comprising a pixel matrix, the object being provided with a test marker. The test marker comprises a periodic pattern in two dimensions and a digital processing of the image of the test marker is carried out to produce an image comprising a first grating and an image comprising a second grating which are analyzed digitally to calculate the position of the test marker within the matrix of pixels.