Regulation of keratinocyte intercellular junction organization and epidermal morphogenesis by E-cadherin.
Elevation of the calcium concentration in human keratinocyte culture rapidly induces the redistribution of E-cadherin, P-cadherin, vinculin, beta 1 integrin, and desmoplakin to the cell-cell borders. Antibody to E-cadherin that blocks its functional activity delays the redistribution of each marker by several hours. Furthermore, antibody to E-cadherin interferes with normal, calcium-induced stratification of keratinocytes. Although several uneven vertical layers of cells can be detected in the presence of anti-E-cadherin antibody, the superficial cells appear defective in their adhesion. They do not flatten upon the basal layer nor do they enlarge, as do the controls; but rather they remain in groups of small cells connected by a line of single cells or by very long processes. In spite of the deformed appearance of the superficial cells in the presence of anti-E-cadherin IgG, these cells express the differentiation marker filaggrin, do not express P-cadherin, and concentrate desmoplakin at their cell-cell borders, consistent with the pattern in normally stratified cultures and in epidermis. These studies suggest a central role for E-cadherin in the regulation of keratinocyte intercellular junction organization as well as in epidermal morphogenesis.
Department of Biology, University of Toledo, Ohio 43606.
M J
MJ
Wheelock
P J
PJ
Jensen
D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051180:Desmoplakins; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D019012:Integrin beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000032:analysis; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009024:Morphogenesis; D016596:Vinculin / Q000032:analysis
D015820:Cadherins; D003470:Culture Media; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C495294:DSP protein, human; D051180:Desmoplakins; C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019012:Integrin beta1; D016023:Integrins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D016596:Vinculin; D002118:Calcium