[Investigation of mesenchymal-epithelial transdifferentiation in the morphogenesis mechanism of embryonic epidermic cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the morphologic mechanism of human embryonic epidermic cells and mesenchymal-epithelial transformation (MET) and its modulation factor.


METHODS
Morphological occurrence of epidermis was detected with histologic methods in earlier period [estimated gestational age (EGA) 6-14 weeks] human embryonic skin samples. At the same time, the characteristic expression and their distribution markers of mesenchymal cells [vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)], embryonic specific epidermic protein CK8&18, specific protein of epidermic stem cell CK19, transforming growth factor-beta1) (TGF-beta1) and its receptor (TGFbetaRI) in embryonic epidermis were examined with immunohistochemistry and indirect-immunofluorescent doble-labelling method.


RESULTS
During EAG 6-8 weeks, ectodermal cells containing Vim+/alpha-SMA(-) were found to transform into epidermal stem cells with CK8&18+/CK19+. In ectodermal cells, protein expression density of TGFbetaRI was moderate (+ +), while positive signal of TGFbeta1 was weak (+/-). After EGA10 weeks, epidermal cells showed typical morphological characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
At EGA 6-8 weeks, human embryonic skin epidermal cells began to form through MET, in which the signal pathway mediated by TGFbetaRI might play important roles, but the role of TGFbeta1 need to be further studied.
Jiang
Du-yin
DY
Institute of Wounds & Plastics Research, The Fourth People's Hospital of Taizhou, Taizhou 225300, China. jdybs2@vip.163.com
Fu
Xiao-bing
XB
Zhang
Yu-hua
YH
Sheng
Zhi-yong
ZY
Chen
Wei
W
Sun
Tong-zhu
TZ
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1