Analysis of the expression pattern of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, neurturin, their cognate receptors GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2, and a common signal transduction element c-Ret in the human scalp skin.
BACKGROUND
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and a related family member, neurturin (NTN), as well as their cognate receptors (GDNF receptors, GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2, respectively) are involved in nervous system development and murine hair cycle control. To date, their expression in human scalp skin is still unknown.


METHODS
The expression pattern of these proteins was examined in human scalp skin by immunofluorescence and immunoalkaline phosphatase staining methods as well as RT-PCR (GDNF). A total of 50 normal human scalp skin biopsy specimens were examined (healthy females, 53-57 years).


RESULTS
The expression of GDNF protein was strong in the epidermis and sebaceous and sweat glands. In the epidermis, GDNF protein expression was seen in all layers except the stratum corneum. It was strong in the basal layer and decreased gradually towards the granular layer. The results of RT-PCR analysis revealed that GDNF protein is synthesised in the epidermis. The expression of NTN, GFRalpha-1, and GFRalpha-2 proteins was strong in the papillary dermis and sebaceous and sweat glands. In the epidermis, NTN protein expression was absent. The expression of GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 proteins was moderate in the epidermis. The expression of c-Ret protein was consistently strong in the epidermis and sebaceous and sweat glands. These proteins were strongly expressed in both epithelial and mesenchymal compartments of human anagen VI scalp hair follicles.


CONCLUSIONS
Our investigation reports, for the first time, the expression patterns of GDNF, NTN, GFRalpha-1, GFRalpha-2, and c-Ret proteins in human scalp skin. The expression of these proteins in the skin suggests their possible roles in skin homeostasis. The clinical ramifications of these observations mandate further investigations. Adly MA, Assaf HA, Hussein MR, Paus R. Analysis of the expression pattern of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, neurturin, their cognate receptors GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2, and a common signal transduction element c-Ret in the human scalp skin.
Adly
Mohamed A
MA
Department of Zoology, Sohag Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Assir, KSA.
Assaf
Hanan A
HA
Hussein
Mahmoud R
MR
Paus
Ralf
R
D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D051101:Neurturin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012535:Scalp / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D051101:Neurturin; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret