Human skin equivalents expressing exogenous polypeptides

1. A method for providing cells expressing heterologous keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) comprising:

a) providing immortalized keratinocytes selected from the group consisting of near-diploid immortalized keratinocytes (NIKS) cells and cells derived from NIKS cells and an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding KGF-2 operably linked to a regulatory sequence selected from an involucrin promoter and a K14 promoter;

b) introducing said expression vector to said immortalized keratinocytes and selecting immortalized keratinocytes that are stably transfected with the DNA sequence encoding KGF-2 operably linked to a regulatory sequence selected from an involucrin promoter and a K14 promoter; and

c) culturing said stably transfected immortalized keratinocytes to form an in vitro human skin equivalent comprising stratified squamous epithelia that expresses KGF-2, wherein said in vitro human skin equivalent is characterized in having correct tissue architecture including the formation of desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and basal lamina.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said expression vector further comprises a selectable marker.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said KGF-2 is full-length KGF-2.

4. An in vitro human skin equivalent produced by the method of claim 1 .

5. The in vitro human skin equivalent of claim 4 , wherein said expression vector further comprises a selectable marker.

6. The in vitro human skin equivalent of claim 4 , wherein said KGF-2 is full-length KGF-2.