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. 2025 Sep 3;15:1680261. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1680261

Figure 1.

Diagram comparing Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE) and Full Thickness (FT) Skin Models. RHE includes stratified keratinocytes for barrier function and toxicity testing. FT includes keratinocytes and fibroblasts for wound healing. Strengths: human-derived, ethical alternative, controlled environment. Limitations: restricted complexity, limited immune system. Below, a section on *Candida albicans* infection highlights virulence factors, host response, and immune cell supplementation involving immune responses, cytokine secretion, and phagocytosis.

Advantages, limitations of RHE and FT skin models, and their versatility in studying C. albicans Infection. (A) Schematic representation of RHE and FT skin models cultured at ALI in transwells. Representative hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue sections are displayed for RHE (left circle) and the FT skin model (right circle). Key structural features and primary fields of application are illustrated below, while general strengths and limitations are summarized in the box on the right. AD, atopic dermatitis. (B) Key virulence factors of C. albicans during infection of 3D tissue models are summarized in the left box. A schematic representation of the infection process is depicted in the center. The box on the right outlines the corresponding and measurable host responses, while the far-right box lists additional analytical parameters when tissue models are supplemented with immune cells. Created with BioRender.com.