Expression pattern of GATA-3 in embryonic and fetal human skin suggests a role in epidermal and follicular morphogenesis.
BACKGROUND
The transcription factor GATA-3 was recently identified as a master regulator in the specification of the inner root sheath. Additionally, it seems to play a role in skin barrier physiology. p63 binds and transactivates the GATA-3 promoter. While the expression profile of GATA-3 is delineated for the mouse, little is known about its expression in the adult human hair follicle and no studies are published about its distribution during human cutaneous embryogenesis.


METHODS
We examined samples from embryonic, fetal and adult human skin for the expression of GATA-3 using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
GATA-3 is expressed late during human skin development. Its expression pattern is comparable to the mouse and confined to the Huxley layer and inner root sheath cuticle but sparing the Henle layer. In addition, GATA-3 localizes to the spinous cell layer of the interfollicular epidermis.


CONCLUSIONS
From the described expression pattern, it is highly probable that GATA-3 plays a role in follicular and epidermal morphogenesis. What the anatomically confined expression of GATA-3 to the spinous layer means biologically for the physiology of the skin is still unclear. Likewise, it still needs to be shown if GATA-3 could be exploited in the diagnosis of adnexal neoplasms.
Sellheyer
Klaus
K
Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA. klaus.sellheyer@gmail.com
Krahl
Dieter
D
D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009024:Morphogenesis; D012535:Scalp / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human