alpha3beta1-integrin regulates hair follicle but not interfollicular morphogenesis in adult epidermis.
alpha3beta1-integrin is abundantly expressed in the epidermis, and in mice, ablation of the alpha3 gene results in embryonic defects and perinatal lethality. To determine the role of alpha3-integrin in adult skin development, we grafted skin from newborn alpha3-integrin-deficient mice on to ICRF nu/nu recipients. We report that adult alpha3-integrin-deficient skin has severe abnormalities restricted to hair follicle morphology, which include stunted hair follicle growth, increased hair follicle fragility, aberrant pigment accumulation and formation of hair follicle clusters. These abnormalities are caused by a combination of defects in: (1) keratinocyte cytoskeletal organisation, (2) outer root sheath architecture and (3) integrity of the lamina densa. Our results indicate that alpha3beta1 is not essential for adult interfollicular epidermal differentiation, but it is required to direct several processes important in hair follicle maintenance and morphogenesis.
Conti
Francesco J A
FJ
Cancer Research UK, Cell Adhesion and Disease Laboratory, Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK.
Rudling
Robert J
RJ
Robson
Alistair
A
Hodivala-Dilke
Kairbaan M
KM
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D004817:Epidermis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics; D016038:Skin Transplantation
D039201:Integrin alpha3beta1; D007797:Laminin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010860:Pigments, Biological; C029967:nidogen