title: Comparison of Gene Expression Profiles between Keratinocytes, Melanocytes and Fibroblasts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The skin has many important functions such as protection, preservation, temperature regulation, and vitamin D synthesis. It is composed of a variety of cell types including keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We attempted to compare the gene expression profiles between keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblast, using cDNA microarray.
  
  
  METHODS
  Keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts were primary cultured from five foreskin specimens. Total RNAs were extracted and pooled to reduce the individual variations, and then used for cDNA microarray.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total 12,028 genes were selected as the reliable genes whose expression was detected in at least one of the three cell types. By comparing the relative expression levels with cutoff limitation as a fourfold change, we obtained 126 fibroblast-specific, 179 keratinocyte-specific and 173 melanocyte-specific genes, many of which are known to be characteristically expressed in each cell type. In addition, we identified many genes whose skin-specific functions have not yet been determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data provide important information on which to base further investigation into the specification of skin cell types.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Jung-Suk
authors: JS
authors: Lee
authors: Dae-Hun
authors: DH
authors: Kim
authors: Dae-Kyoung
authors: DK
authors: Choi
authors: Chang Deok
authors: CD
authors: Kim
authors: Gwang-Bum
authors: GB
authors: Ahn
authors: Tae Young
authors: TY
authors: Yoon
authors: Jeung-Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Ji Yeoun
authors: JY
authors: Lee
keywords: Fibroblasts; Keratinocytes; Melanocytes; cDNA microarrays