scholarly journals Multiple gap junction genes are utilized during rat skin and hair development

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Risek ◽  
F.G. Klier ◽  
N.B. Gilula

The expression of four different gap junction gene products (alpha 1, beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3) has been analysed during rat skin development and the hair growth cycle. Both alpha 1 (Cx43) and beta 2 (Cx26) connexins were coexpressed in the undifferentiated epidermis. A specific, developmentally regulated elimination of beta 2 expression was observed in the periderm at E16. Coinciding with the differentiation of the epidermis, differential expression of alpha 1 and beta 2 connexins was observed in the newly formed epidermal layers. alpha 1 connexin was expressed in the basal and spinous layers, while beta 2 was confined to the differentiated spinous and granular layers. Large gap junctions were present in the basal layer, while small gap junctions, associated with many desmosomes, were typical for the differentiated layers. Although the distribution pattern for alpha 1 and beta 2 expression remained the same in the neonatal and postnatal epidermis, the RNA and protein levels decreased markedly following birth. Hair follicle development was marked by expression of alpha 1 connexin in hair germs at E16. Following beta 2 detection at E20, the expression increased for both alpha 1 and beta 2 in developing follicles. A cell-type-specific expression was detected in the outer root sheath, in the matrix, in the matrix-derived cells (inner root sheath, cortex and medulla) and in the dermal papilla. In addition, alpha 1 was specifically expressed in the arrector pili muscle, while sebocytes expressed both alpha 1 and beta 3 (Cx31) connexin. beta 1 connexin (Cx32) was not detected at any stage analysed. The results indicate that multiple gap junction genes contribute to epidermal and follicular morphogenesis. Moreover, based on the utilization of gap junctions in all living cells of the surface epidermis, it appears that the epidermis may behave as a large communication compartment that may be coupled functionally to epidermal appendages (hair follicles and sebaceous glands) via gap junctional pathways.

Author(s):  
Yong Li ◽  
Hui Guo ◽  
Youbao Zhong ◽  
Xiaofen Hu

The aim was to investigate distribution characteristics of melanocytes in Taihe Silky Fowl’s skin by Lillie’s and DOPA staining methods and transmission electron microscopy. According to the present results, mature melanocytes were mainly located in basal layer of epidermis and hair follicle bulbs, whereas the amelanotic melanocytes were in the outer root sheath of hair follicles. In various partial skins, maturity levels of melanocytes generally were as: claw skin>rear skin>dorsal skin>abdominal skin>wattle skin>cockscomb skin. In mature melanocytes, melanosomes were divided into stage I, II, III and IV, and mostly belonged to stage IV. To conclude, melanocytes in hairy skin more easily reached mature status than in meaty skin and the melanocytes in dorsal skin matured faster than in abdominal skin as well. Furthermore, the melanin migration was subjected to the strict control of melanocytes, but had nothing to do with keratinocytes.


2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1493-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Arita ◽  
Masashi Akiyama ◽  
Yukiko Tsuji ◽  
James R. McMillan ◽  
Robin A.J. Eady ◽  
...  

Gap junctions are intercellular channels composed of connexin subunits that mediate cell-cell communication. The functions of gap junctions are believed to be associated with cell proliferation and differentiation and to be important in maintaining tissue homeostasis. We therefore investigated the expression of connexins (Cx)26 and 43, the two major connexins in human epidermis, and examined the formation of gap junctions during human fetal epidermal development. By immunofluorescence, Cx26 expression was observed between 49 and 96 days’ estimated gestational age (EGA) but was not present from 108 days’ EGA onwards. Conversely, Cx43 expression was observed from 88 days’ EGA onwards. Using electron microscopy, the typical structure of gap junctions was observed from 120 days’ EGA. The number of gap junctions increased over time and they were more common in the upper layers, within the periderm and intermediate keratinocyte layers rather than the basal layer. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed Cx43 labeling on the gap junction structures after 105 days’ EGA. Formation of gap junctions increased as skin developed, suggesting that gap junctions may play an important role in fetal skin development. Furthermore, the changing patterns of connexin expression suggest that Cx26 is important for early fetal epidermal development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (46) ◽  
pp. 12243-12248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bum-Ho Bin ◽  
Jinhyuk Bhin ◽  
Mikiro Takaishi ◽  
Koh-ei Toyoshima ◽  
Saeko Kawamata ◽  
...  

Skin tissues, in particular the epidermis, are severely affected by zinc deficiency. However, the zinc-mediated mechanisms that maintain the cells that form the epidermis have not been established. Here, we report that the zinc transporter ZIP10 is highly expressed in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and plays critical roles in epidermal development. We found that ZIP10 marked epidermal progenitor cell subsets and that ablating Zip10 caused significant epidermal hypoplasia accompanied by down-regulation of the transactivation of p63, a master regulator of epidermal progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Both ZIP10 and p63 are significantly increased during epidermal development, in which ZIP10-mediated zinc influx promotes p63 transactivation. Collectively, these results indicate that ZIP10 plays important roles in epidermal development via, at least in part, the ZIP10–zinc–p63 signaling axis, thereby highlighting the physiological significance of zinc regulation in the maintenance of skin epidermis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuniko Kadoya ◽  
Jun-ichi Fukushi ◽  
Yoshihiro Matsumoto ◽  
Yu Yamaguchi ◽  
William B. Stallcup

In early postnatal mouse skin, the NG2 proteoglycan is expressed in the subcutis, the dermis, the outer root sheath of hair follicles, and the basal keratinocyte layer of the epidermis. With further development, NG2 is most prominently expressed by stem cells in the hair follicle bulge region, as also observed in adult human skin. During telogen and anagen phases of the adult hair cycle, NG2 is also found in stem cell populations that reside in dermal papillae and the outer root sheaths of hair follicles. Ablation of NG2 produces alterations in both the epidermis and subcutis layers of neonatal skin. Compared with wild type, the NG2 null epidermis does not achieve its full thickness due to reduced proliferation of basal keratinocytes that serve as the stem cell population in this layer. Thickening of the subcutis is also delayed in NG2 null skin due to deficiencies in the adipocyte population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5672
Author(s):  
Kyung-Eun Ku ◽  
Nahyun Choi ◽  
Jong-Hyuk Sung

Rab27a/b are known to play an important role in the transport of melanosomes, with their knockout causing silvery gray hair. However, the relationship between Rab27a/b and hair growth is not well known. To evaluate the role of Rab27a/b in hair cycle, we investigated the expression of Rab27a/b during hair cycling and human outer root sheath (hORS) cells. The expression of Rab27a in ORS cells was mainly detected at the anagen, whereas expression of Rab27b in ORS, and epidermal cells was strongly expressed at the telogen. Additionally, Rab27a/b were expressed in the Golgi of hORS cells. To evaluate the role of Rab27a/b in hair growth, telogen-to-anagen transition animal and vibrissae hair follicles (HFs) organ culture models were assayed using Rab27a/b siRNAs. The knockdown of Rab27a or Rab27b suppressed or promoted hair growth, respectively. These results were also confirmed in human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and hORS cells, showing the opposite mitogenic effects. Moreover, Rab27b knockdown increased the expression levels of various growth factors in the hDPCs and hORS cells. Overall, the opposite temporal expression patterns during hair cycling and roles for hair growth of Rab27a/b suggested that Rab27a/b might regulate the hair cycle. Therefore, our study may provide a novel solution for the development of hair loss treatment by regulating Rab27a/b levels.


2007 ◽  
Vol 177 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Lorenz ◽  
Carsten Grashoff ◽  
Robert Torka ◽  
Takao Sakai ◽  
Lutz Langbein ◽  
...  

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton and is believed to phosphorylate several target proteins. We report that a keratinocyte-restricted deletion of the ILK gene leads to epidermal defects and hair loss. ILK-deficient epidermal keratinocytes exhibited a pronounced integrin-mediated adhesion defect leading to epidermal detachment and blister formation, disruption of the epidermal–dermal basement membrane, and the translocation of proliferating, integrin-expressing keratinocytes to suprabasal epidermal cell layers. The mutant hair follicles were capable of producing hair shaft and inner root sheath cells and contained stem cells and generated proliferating progenitor cells, which were impaired in their downward migration and hence accumulated in the outer root sheath and failed to replenish the hair matrix. In vitro studies with primary ILK-deficient keratinocytes attributed the migration defect to a reduced migration velocity and an impaired stabilization of the leading-edge lamellipodia, which compromised directional and persistent migration. We conclude that ILK plays important roles for epidermis and hair follicle morphogenesis by modulating integrin-mediated adhesion, actin reorganization, and plasma membrane dynamics in keratinocytes.


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kurokawa ◽  
S Nishijima ◽  
K Kusumoto ◽  
H Senzaki ◽  
N Shikata ◽  
...  

In 14 cases of hidradenitis suppurativa, cytokeratin (CK) expression was studied immunohistochemically, using six anti-keratin antibodies against CK1, CK10, CK14, CK16, CK17 and CK19, respectively. The draining sinus tract epithelium of hidradenitis suppurativa lesions was divided into three components: infundibular-like keratinized epithelium (type A), non-infundibular keratinized epithelium (type B), and non-keratinized epithelium (type C). In type A samples, CK17 (which is found in normal infundibulum) was not detected, suggesting fragility of this epithelial type. Keratin expression in types B and C epithelia was similar to that observed in the outer root sheath in normal hair follicles. Our results suggest that the draining sinus epithelium may possess characteristics of fragility, undifferentiation and hyperproliferation, as shown with CK expression.


1995 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 12-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Cunliffe ◽  
Susan P.Macdonald Hull ◽  
Michael Nutbrown ◽  
Valerie A. Randall

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document