Relationship of adhesion molecules expression with epithelial differentiation markers during fetal skin development.
BACKGROUND
Cadherins and integrins are important for maintenance of tissue integrity and in signal transduction during skin development. Distribution of these molecules in human skin development was investigated and associated with markers of differentiation, cytokeratins (CK) and involucrin (INV).


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry expression of E- and P-cadherins, integrins beta-1 and -4, CK10, CK14 and INV was assessed in skin fragments of 10 human fetuses (gestational weeks ranged from 4 to 24, all weighing up to 500 g).


RESULTS
At initial phases of development, integrins beta-1 and -4 and E- and P-cadherins were present on epithelial cell membranes in all layers. CK14 and CK10 were expressed in all epithelial layers and INV weakly detected in the superficial layer. In more advanced stages, integrins were detected in all layers, but a marked polarized expression was seen in basal layer. E-cadherin was detected in all layers, but the cornified stratum and P-cadherin were observed in the lower layers. CK14 was expressed in basal layer, CK10 in suprabasal stratum and INV was observed in cornified layer.


CONCLUSIONS
Cadherins and integrins are essential for skin development, being spatially and temporally regulated. Their expression is related with the expression of maturation markers of the epidermis.
Lourenço
Silvia Vanessa
SV
Department of General Pathology, Dental School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. sloducca@usp.br
Kamibeppu
Leonardo
L
Fernandes
Juliana Dumêt
JD
Sotto
Mirian Nacagami
MN
Nico
Marcello Menta S
MM
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007633:Keratins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015820:Cadherins; D016023:Integrins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C032253:involucrin; D007633:Keratins