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.
Department of Pathology, University of Oulu, Finland.
M
M
Kallioinen
V
V
Koivukangas
M
M
Järvinen
A
A
Oikarinen
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