title: Expression of beta 1 integrins in normal human keratinocytes.
abstract: The majority of cell adhesive events to the extracellular matrix are mediated by cell surface receptors, beta 1 integrins. Keratinocytes express at least six different polypeptides of beta 1 integrin class, namely beta 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5, and alpha 6 (alpha 6 is mainly associated with beta 4 polypeptide). These epithelial cells use alpha 2 beta 1 as a collagen receptor and alpha 3 beta 1 as a fibronectin receptor, while alpha 6 beta 4 is the major basement membrane receptor. Expression of alpha 5 beta 1 complex is low. Processing of beta 1 integrins is fast in keratinocytes; half-maximal maturation takes only 3 hours. In addition to their function in cell-matrix interactions, beta 1 integrins (alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1) have also a role in maintaining keratinocyte cell-cell interactions. It is possible that resting basal keratinocytes use beta 1 integrins as cell-cell adhesion receptors, and during activation, like in wound healing, these receptors relocalize to mediate events involving cell-matrix interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Larjava
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances