Abstract
Epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa (KOM) are effective barriers against a wide spectrum of insults. The optimal form of protection provided by each epithelium is determined also by the molecular composition of desmosomes. Up to now, the expression of the "skin type" desmosomal cadherins, i.e. desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) and desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), was correlated with the morphological features of keratinocyte terminal differentiation in epidermis, but not in KOM. The aim of the present study was to investigate Dsc1 and Dsg1 expression in adult human KOM compared to epidermis. Biopsies of epidermis and KOM were obtained from young healthy adults (n=6) and simultaneously processed for immunofluorescence analysis, post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy (immunogold EM), and RT-PCR analysis. For molecular biology analysis, as a negative control, we considered human fibroblasts. By immunofluorescence and immunogold EM, Dsc1 labeling was not detected in any suprabasal layer of KOM, but it was present in the upper spinous/granular layers of epidermis. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that (i) Dsg1 expression was evident in the spinous, granular, and horny layer of the oral epithelium and (ii) Dsg1 immunoreactivity was always lower in desmosomes between oral keratinocytes than in all epidermal junctions. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that in KOM Dsc1 gene expression was undetectable. On the whole, these observations suggest a weakened adhesion in KOM, allowing oral keratinocytes to undergo a faster transition throughout the living layers of the epithelium. The intrinsic and specific regulation of the molecular composition of desmosomes can contribute in defining a specific keratinocyte phenotype in KOM and in epidermis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 31-38 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Archives of Dermatological Research |
| Volume | 297 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2005 |
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Keywords
- Desmosomal cadherins
- Electron microscopy
- Human
- Keratinocytes
- RT-PCR
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Cite this
Desmocollin 1 and desmoglein 1 expression in human epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa : A comparative immunohistochemical and molecular study. / Donetti, Elena; Bedoni, Marzia; Boschini, Elena; Dellavia, Claudia; Barajon, Isabella; Gagliano, Nicoletta.
In: Archives of Dermatological Research, Vol. 297, No. 1, 07.2005, p. 31-38.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Desmocollin 1 and desmoglein 1 expression in human epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa
T2 - A comparative immunohistochemical and molecular study
AU - Donetti, Elena
AU - Bedoni, Marzia
AU - Boschini, Elena
AU - Dellavia, Claudia
AU - Barajon, Isabella
AU - Gagliano, Nicoletta
PY - 2005/7
Y1 - 2005/7
N2 - Epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa (KOM) are effective barriers against a wide spectrum of insults. The optimal form of protection provided by each epithelium is determined also by the molecular composition of desmosomes. Up to now, the expression of the "skin type" desmosomal cadherins, i.e. desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) and desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), was correlated with the morphological features of keratinocyte terminal differentiation in epidermis, but not in KOM. The aim of the present study was to investigate Dsc1 and Dsg1 expression in adult human KOM compared to epidermis. Biopsies of epidermis and KOM were obtained from young healthy adults (n=6) and simultaneously processed for immunofluorescence analysis, post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy (immunogold EM), and RT-PCR analysis. For molecular biology analysis, as a negative control, we considered human fibroblasts. By immunofluorescence and immunogold EM, Dsc1 labeling was not detected in any suprabasal layer of KOM, but it was present in the upper spinous/granular layers of epidermis. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that (i) Dsg1 expression was evident in the spinous, granular, and horny layer of the oral epithelium and (ii) Dsg1 immunoreactivity was always lower in desmosomes between oral keratinocytes than in all epidermal junctions. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that in KOM Dsc1 gene expression was undetectable. On the whole, these observations suggest a weakened adhesion in KOM, allowing oral keratinocytes to undergo a faster transition throughout the living layers of the epithelium. The intrinsic and specific regulation of the molecular composition of desmosomes can contribute in defining a specific keratinocyte phenotype in KOM and in epidermis.
AB - Epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa (KOM) are effective barriers against a wide spectrum of insults. The optimal form of protection provided by each epithelium is determined also by the molecular composition of desmosomes. Up to now, the expression of the "skin type" desmosomal cadherins, i.e. desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) and desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), was correlated with the morphological features of keratinocyte terminal differentiation in epidermis, but not in KOM. The aim of the present study was to investigate Dsc1 and Dsg1 expression in adult human KOM compared to epidermis. Biopsies of epidermis and KOM were obtained from young healthy adults (n=6) and simultaneously processed for immunofluorescence analysis, post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy (immunogold EM), and RT-PCR analysis. For molecular biology analysis, as a negative control, we considered human fibroblasts. By immunofluorescence and immunogold EM, Dsc1 labeling was not detected in any suprabasal layer of KOM, but it was present in the upper spinous/granular layers of epidermis. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that (i) Dsg1 expression was evident in the spinous, granular, and horny layer of the oral epithelium and (ii) Dsg1 immunoreactivity was always lower in desmosomes between oral keratinocytes than in all epidermal junctions. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that in KOM Dsc1 gene expression was undetectable. On the whole, these observations suggest a weakened adhesion in KOM, allowing oral keratinocytes to undergo a faster transition throughout the living layers of the epithelium. The intrinsic and specific regulation of the molecular composition of desmosomes can contribute in defining a specific keratinocyte phenotype in KOM and in epidermis.
KW - Desmosomal cadherins
KW - Electron microscopy
KW - Human
KW - Keratinocytes
KW - RT-PCR
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=25644459272&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=25644459272&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00403-005-0573-9
DO - 10.1007/s00403-005-0573-9
M3 - Article
VL - 297
SP - 31
EP - 38
JO - Archives of Dermatological Research
JF - Archives of Dermatological Research
SN - 0340-3696
IS - 1
ER -