title: Differential expression of alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of type VI collagen in the upper, middle, and lower dermal fibroblasts in vitro.
abstract: Levels of type VI collagen mRNAs were determined in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from the upper, middle, and lower layers. The level of alpha 1 (VI) collagen mRNA was the highest in the fibroblasts from the upper layer. In contrast, alpha 2 (VI) collagen mRNA level in the fibroblasts from the lower layer predominated over those in the upper and middle layers. The level of alpha 3 (VI) collagen mRNA was the same in the three dermal layers. When the fibroblasts from the upper layer were passaged successively, the alpha 1 (VI) collagen mRNA level declined and alpha 2 (VI) collagen mRNA level increased to those of the lower dermal fibroblasts. These results indicate that alpha 1 (VI) and alpha 2 (VI) collagen expressions in skin fibroblast cultures are heterogeneous and that successive passages of the upper dermal fibroblasts may result in transition of the phenotype of alpha 1 (VI) and alpha 2 (VI) expression to that of lower dermal fibroblasts. The modulation of the expression of alpha 1 (VI) and alpha 2 (VI) chains presumably reflects the process of cellular aging in vitro and should be a useful biochemical marker in studies of cell aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tajima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003094:Collagen