title: Expression of matrilin-2 in human skin.
abstract: The extracellular matrix is composed of a large number of different modular proteins. Matrilin-2 is a newly described member of the protein superfamily with von Willebrand factor A-like modules. To examine the expression of matrilin-2 in human skin, the distribution of protein and mRNA was studied by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In addition, immunoblotting and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to investigate the expression of matrilin-2 in keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures. In vivo, keratinocytes and fibroblasts were both found to express matrilin-2 mRNA and deposit the protein at the basal side of the dermal-epidermal basement membrane. Matrilin-2 molecules synthesized by the two cell types in vitro appeared to be processed differently by cell-associated proteases. Transcription of matrilin-2 mRNA in keratinocytes was enhanced by a diffusible factor produced by fibroblasts, suggesting a regulatory mechanism for the production of extracellular matrix at the dermal-epidermal junction. These findings demonstrate that matrilin-2 is expressed in normal skin by keratinocytes and fibroblasts and may thus contribute to cutaneous homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Dorothea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piecha
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kobbe
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mauch
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C577541:MATN2 protein, human; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger