Expression of cytokeratins in regenerating human epidermis.
The expression of cytokeratin polypeptides in regenerating human epidermis was immunohistochemically examined during re-epithelization of suction blisters. The regenerating basal and suprabasal epidermis expressed keratin polypeptides K13, K14, K16 and K18, which are not present in normal suprabasal epidermis. On the contrary, K10, a normal constituent of terminally differentiated keratinocytes, was lacking from the epidermis until the ninth day of re-epithelization. The findings indicate changes similar to other hyperproliferative states (expression of K16), basal-like features (expression of K14), or properties reminiscent of fetal skin (K13 and K18) in the newly formed epidermis. Monoclonal antibodies for cytokeratins and a technique using suction blisters seemed to be a suitable methodology for the study of epidermal regeneration in normal skin. The technique may also have advantages in the investigation of keratin expression in diseased skin.
Kallioinen
M
M
Department of Pathology, University of Oulu, Finland.
Koivukangas
V
V
Järvinen
M
M
Oikarinen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004817:Epidermis / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013396:Suction; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000378:metabolism
D010455:Peptides; D007633:Keratins