title: Differential localization of TGF-beta-precursor isotypes in normal human skin.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) can act as a multi-functional regulator of both cell growth and differentiation. Three isotypes of TGF-beta s namely TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3, have been found in human tissues. Up to now, little is known about the distribution patterns of the TGF-beta isotypes in human skin. Using the TGF-beta-precursor (latency-associated peptides) specific antibodies to confirm the specificity, we studied the immunohistochemical distribution of TGF-beta 1-3 in human skin. TGF-beta 2 was found mainly in the intercellular space of all the layers of the epidermis as well as in the cytoplasm with a weak staining. In contrast, TGF-beta 3 was present in the subepidermal area of the dermis. TGF-beta 1 was observed obviously in neither epidermis nor dermis. These results showed the differential localization of TGF-beta isotypes in human skin, suggesting that the TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 may regulate the human skin function in an epithelial autocrine or mesenchymal-epithelial interaction manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Osaka University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wataya-Kaneda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyazono
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011498:Protein Precursors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta