title: The expression of desmosomal and corneodesmosomal antigens shows specific variations during the terminal differentiation of epidermis and hair follicle epithelia.
abstract: Using five monoclonal antibodies (MAb), we studied by indirect immunofluorescence the desmosomes and a junctional structure specific to cornified layers, the corneodesmosome, in normal and plantar epidermis and in the various sheaths of the anagen hair follicle. The monoclonal antibodies DP1&2.2-15, PG5.1, and DG3.10, specific for desmoplakins I/II, plakoglobin, and desmoglein I, respectively, were used to study the desmosome antigens, and G36-19 and G20-21 to study the corneodesmosome antigens. The distribution and sequence of expression of the five antigens allowed the nine epithelial differentiation pathways studied to be merged into four distinct families: non-plantar epidermis, characterized by the absence of desmosome and corneodesmosome antigens in the stratum corneum; the outer root sheath of the hair follicle, which behaves like the viable layers of the epidermis with regard to the desmosome antigens but does not express the corneodesmosome antigens; plantar epidermis and the three components of the inner root sheath in which the corneodesmosome antigens are present up to the desquamating layer; and the three components of the hair shaft, which are characterized by the absence of expression of both the desmosome and the corneodesmosome antigens in its mature portion.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire, Faculté de Médecine Purpan, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mils
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Croute
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serre
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000276:immunology*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006197:Hair / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens