Scientists in Switzerland have successfully created a lab-grown human lip cell model to treat lip-related conditions.

Lips are essential for communicating, eating, breathing, and expressing emotions. However, their unique structure makes them difficult to replicate for research purposes.

However, in a new study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, researchers have grown “immortal” lip cells that can be reproduced indefinitely in laboratory settings – a first in lip research.

Dr. Martin Degen, a researcher at the University of Bern, highlighted the importance of lips in facial structure and functionality.

“The lips are a very prominent feature of our face,” Degen said, adding that any damage to this delicate tissue can be highly noticeable and challenging to treat.

Collaborating with the University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery, the researchers used donated lip tissue from patients who had cleft lip (a birth defect when the upper lip does not completely join together) and lip tissue. Used to undergo procedures for conditions such as wounds (cleft lip).

The team chose to use donated primary lip cells as a starting point. Although these cells closely mirror actual lip tissue, they have limitations because they are difficult to obtain and cannot be grown indefinitely.

To overcome this, scientists altered specific genes in cells, creating “immortal” versions that were able to undergo continuous evolution without losing their characteristics.

After rigorous testing, researchers confirmed that these lab-grown cells retained the genetic stability of natural lip cells and did not develop signs of cancer.

Tests showed that the cells behaved similarly to primary lip cells, producing the same types of proteins and mRNA.

The team also verified the safety of the cell lines by attempting to grow them on soft agar, a medium where only cancer cells normally grow. However, lip cells failed to proliferate, confirming their safe profile.

To see how these cells could be used in future treatments, the team conducted wound healing tests. They cultured samples of cells and observed the healing process, which mimics normal wound repair in real lips.

The team also created 3D lip models infected with the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause infection in people with weakened immune systems. The lip models responded accurately, showing their potential in studying infections.