Changes in proliferative activity as cells move along undulating basement membranes in stratified squamous epithelium.
The filiform papillae of mouse tongue provide evidence for a flow of interphase basal cells along the basement membrane. This implies that they are aligned on that structure according to age. In addition there is a decrease in proliferative potential as the basal cells age. This is probably due at least in part to a fall in growth fraction. Such a method of basal cell replacement may exist in other stratified squamous epithelia characterized by undulating basement membranes.
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000166:cytology; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D007399:Interphase; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008940:Mitotic Index; D014059:Tongue / Q000166:cytology*