title: T-Cadherin Expression in the Epidermis and Adnexal Structures of Normal Skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  T-cadherin is an atypical glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored member of the cadherin superfamily of adhesion molecules. The role of T-cadherin in biology of the skin is poorly understood. Expression of T-cadherin in basal keratinocytes and dermal blood vessels of the healthy epidermis has been demonstrated, but studies on expression in skin appendages are rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an immunohistochemical analysis of T-cadherin expression in the epidermis and adnexal structures of normal skin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T-cadherin expression is restricted to basal keratinocytes of the epidermis. The basal cell layer of sebaceous glands was T-cadherin positive, whereas sebocytes were negative. Within apocrine glands, only myoepithelial cells were T-cadherin positive. In contrast, both the secretory coils and excretory ducts of eccrine glands were T-cadherin positive. In terminal hair follicles, the outer root sheath layers strongly expressed T-cadherin throughout different regions of the follicle, with the strongest immunoreactivity at the bulge and suprabulbar regions. T-cadherin and CK15 stem cell marker similarly localized within the bulge and suprabulbar region. T-cadherin and CD34 stem cell marker similarly localized at the suprabulbar level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The specific patterns of T-cadherin expression in the epidermis and adnexal structures suggest an important guardian role in skin homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Private Office and Laboratory for Histologic Diagnostic, Basel University and Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stanislaw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buechner
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Signal Transduction, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University and Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erne
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Signal Transduction, Department of Biomedicine, Basel University and Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Therese J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Resink
keywords: Epidermis; Immunohistochemistry; Skin appendages; T-cadherin