Selective migration of terminally differentiating cells from the basal layer of cultured human epidermis

How terminally differentiating cells are selectively expelled from the basal layer of epidermis has been a source of interest and speculation for many years. The problem can now be studied in culture, using involucrin synthesis as an early marker of terminal differentiation in human keratinocytes. When keratinocytes are forced to grow as a monolayer by reducing the calcium ion concentration of the culture medium, they still begin to synthesize involucrin. Raising the level of calcium ions induces stratification, and cells that are synthesizing involucrin are selectively expelled from the basal layer. I have found that during calcium-induced stratification no new proteins or glycoproteins are synthesized, and the rate of cell division does not change. Movement of involucrin-positive cells out of the basal layer was found to be unaffected by cycloheximide, tunicamycin, or cytosine arabinoside. These results suggest that keratinocytes growing as a monolayer already have the necessary properties to determine their position when stratification is induced. Addition of calcium simply allows formation of desmosomes and other intimate cell contacts required for stratification. The properties of involucrin-positive cells that determine their suprabasal position include a reduced affinity for the culture substrate and preferential adhesion to other cells at the same stage of terminal differentiation. The molecular basis of these adhesive changes is discussed.     

Immunolocalization of a p53/p63‐like protein in the regenerating tail of the wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) suggests it is involved in the differentiation of the epidermis

During tail regeneration in lizards, the epidermis forms new scales comprising a hard beta‐layer and a softer alpha‐layer. Regenerated scales derive from a controlled folding process of the wound epidermis that gives rise to epidermal pegs where keratinocytes do not invade the dermis. Basal keratinocytes of pegs give rise to suprabasal cells that initially differentiate into a corneous wound epidermis and later in corneous layers of the regenerated scales. The immunodetection of a putative p53/63 protein in the regenerating tail of lizards shows that immunoreactivity is present in the nuclei of basal cells of the epidermis but becomes mainly cytoplasmic in suprabasal and in differentiating keratinocytes. Sparse labelled cells are present in the regenerating blastema, muscles, cartilage, ependyma and nerves of the growing tail. Ultrastructural observations on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes show that the labelling is mainly present in the euchromatin and nucleolus while labelling is more diffuse in the cytoplasm. These observations indicate that the nuclear protein in basal keratinocytes might control their proliferation avoiding an uncontrolled spreading into other tissues of the regenerating tail but that in suprabasal keratinocytes the protein moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, a process that might be associated to keratinocyte differentiation.     

Ultrastructural determination of gingival Langerhans cells in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The ultrastructure of Langerhans cells has not been fully investigated in diabetes-associated gingival tissues. The present study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructure of gingival Langerhans cells in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Gingival biopsies were obtained from 22 diabetic and 18 control rats. Langerhans cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the basal layers of healthy oral epithelium. On rare occasions, Langerhans cells were found in the suprabasal layers of the oral epithelium. Langerhans cells in the oral epithelium of diabetic rats were seen in the basal and suprabasal layers. Usually, Langerhans cells had clear cytoplasm and convoluted or indented nuclei and few or no specific granules. The clear cytoplasm contained mitochondria, lysosomes and a small number of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum regions, but it lacked tonofilament. Occasionally, centrioles were also observed in the cytoplasm. The membrane of Langerhans cells had no junctional complexes such as desmosomes. In diabetic rats, Langerhans cell precursors were developed into specific granule-bearing cells. Both Langerhans cells and their granules were more frequent in the gingiva of diabetic rats than in the control group. These data suggest that Langerhans cells play an important role in explaining the pathogenesis and development of diabetic gingivitis.     

The intermediate filament system of the keratinizing mouse forestomach epithelium: Coexpression of keratins of internal squamous epithelia and of epidermal keratins in differentiating cells

Summary The internal epithelium of mouse forestomach represents a fully keratinized tissue that has many morphological aspects in common with the integumental epidermis. In the present study we have, therefore, analyzed keratin expression in the total epithelium, in subfractions of basal cells and in living and dead suprabasal cells that were obtained by Percoll density gradient centrifugation of trypsin-dissociated forestomach keratinocytes. The keratin analysis revealed that basal forestomach keratinocytes synthesize the same keratin types as basal epidermal cells (60 000, 52 000 and 47 000 daltons), whereas differentiating cells contain both the epidermal suprabasal keratin pair (67 000 and 59 000 daltons) and the suprabasal keratin pair characteristic for other internal squamous epithelia (57 000 and 47 000 daltons). Indirect immunofluorescence using an antibody recognizing the members of the epidermal-type suprabasal keratin pair and in-situ-hybridization experiments using specific cDNA probes for the members of the internal-type keratin pair showed that the two keratin pairs are uniformly coexpressed in living suprabasal forestomach keratinocytes. Furthermore, it could be shown that distinct cells in the basal cell layer acquire the ability to express both the 67 000/59 000 dalton and the 57 000/47 000 dalton keratin pair and that some basal cells apparently lose the ability to synthesize mRNAs for basal keratins.     

Morphological appearance of epidermal cells cultured on fibroblast-reorganized collagen gels

Summary Human foreskin fibroblasts were used to reorganize hydrated collagen gels into a dermal-like matrix, after which freshly isolated keratinocytes isolated from rabbit ear skin were placed on the surfaces of the matrices and cultured for up to 12 days. Transmission electron microscopy revealed 8–12 cell layers of epidermal cells organized in three distinct strata. The basal stratum consisted of cuboidal to columnar cells with typical complement of organelles, oval nuclei, and prominent tonofilaments inserting into desmosomes. Mitotic cells often were found at this level. There was no well-defined basement membrane region; rather, many of the cells appeared to be in close contact with collagen fibrils. The intermediate stratum of suprabasal cells consisted of elongated cells that had reduced organelles, but still were connected to each other by desmosomes. Finally, the superficial stratum of suprabasal cells contained cells that were completely flattened and often appeared to be sloughing off the apical surfaces of the cultures. Indirect immunofluorescence studies carried out on frozen sections revealed bullous pemphigoid antigen associated with basal epidermal cells; pemphigus vulgaris antigen around the epidermal cells of all strata, and keratin present in the epidermal cells of all strata. Filaggrin was observed in punctate and fibrillar arrangements in suprabasal cells. Fibronectin was found in a linear deposit at the dermal-epidermal junction and around the fibroblasts in the reorganized collagen gels. Type-IV collagen and laminin, however, were not detected.     

Human epidermis reconstructed on synthetic membrane: Influence of experimental conditions on terminal differentiation

Summary Cell suspensions of human keratinocytes seeded onto cell culture inserts may undergo terminal differentiation in the absence of fibroblasts. Among the parameters that control these morphogenic events, exposure to air and the composition of the culture medium were investigated. In the latter case, three media were considered DMEM:Ham’s F12, MCDB 153, and keratinocyte SFM medium at equivalent calcium (1.5 mM) and fetal calf serum (5%) concentrations. Immunochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy show that cells cultured in DMEM:Ham’s F12 medium, and then raised at the air-liquid interface, form a basal layer plus suprabasal cell layers corresponding to thestratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, andstratum corneum. The suprabasal keratinocyte layers show morphologies that resemble intact skin in which cells are connected by desmosomes and contain intermediate filaments and keratohyalin-filaggrin granules. When the cultures are kept submerged, the keratinocytes show occasional keratohyalin granules and are connected by fewer desmosomes. Additionally, no properstratum corneum is formed. In keratinocyte SFM medium and MCDB 153, cultures raised at the air-liquid interface are not able to form an epithelium of normal architecture and do not express terminal differentiation markers. Differentiation is initiated, however, since desmosomes and bundles of keratin filaments appear; on the other hand, filaggrin is not expressed even after 28 d in culture. Membrane-bound transglutaminase is expressed throughout the entire suprabasal compartment in MCDB153 and DMEM:Ham’s F12 media but never appears in keratinocyte SFM medium. These studies show the relative independence of epidermal differentiation program to the composition (including the calcium concentration) of the media contacting the dermis and filling the extracellular space. Conversely, differentiation appears to depend on elements of basal medium and/or components synthesized by keratinocytes under the influence of the culture medium.     

The influence of fixation on the morphology of mouse epidermis. A light and electron microscopical study with special reference to "dark cells" and epidermal carcinogenesis

Different opinions exist on the normal ultrastructure of the epidermis including the significance of so-called basal dark cells. Thus, the dark cells are still assumed to be key elements in experimental skin carcinogenesis. We therefore explored the effects of tissue fixation on the ultrastructure of the epidermis. Untreated normal hairless mouse skin was processed for transmission electron microscopy with two different sets of fixatives, applied either by perfusion-immersion or immersion fixation only. The morphology of both the basal and the lower suprabasal layers of the epidermis, including the extracellular space, the shape and volume of the cells, their electron density, and the organisation of some of the organelles, were profoundly affected by the choice of fixatives. The non-keratinocytes showed comparable changes, including the appearance of a dark phenotype. The incidence of small electron-dense keratinocytes (dark cells) and the nature of their ultrastructure changed markedly with the fixation procedure. We were not able to identify undifferentiated dark cells. The pattern of changes and the quality of the morphological picture were almost unaffected by the mode of fixation. The upper suprabasal and the cornified layers appeared to be more or less unaltered by the change in fixatives and the method of application. The vehicle osmolality of the primary fixative was found to be mainly responsible for the ultrastructural appearances. A low vehicle osmolality may be responsible for the occurrence of the dark cell phenomenon, by inducing swelling artefacts of many cells with compression of some neighbouring cells.     

Changes in cytokeratin expression in epidermal keratinocytes during wound healing

In order to investigate the re-epithelialization process during wound healing, the hair on the back of guinea pigs was shaved and then excisional wounds were made through the entire thickness of the skin. Histological changes were observed and changes in the expression of different cytokeratin polypeptides were examined using an immunohistochemical technique. Immunohisto chemical study revealed that the proliferating and migrating keratinocytes expressed the same cytokeratins as the basal cells of normal epidermis. In addition, the entire epidermis of fairly remote areas from the edges of the wound where no thickening was observed showed a temporarily abnormal staining pattern. The suprabasal cells in the regenerating epidermis temporarily expressed cytokeratins not only specific for suprabasal cells but also specific for basal cells. The cytokeratins expressed in normal basal keratinocytes were also present in the thickened granular layers. These data indicate that the expression of cytokeratins in the epidermal keratinocytes (even in fairly remote areas from the wound edges) changes during wound healing, that the origin of the migrating keratinocytes from the remaining epidermis seems to be the basal cells in the epidermis, and that the appearance of keratohyalin granules is not related to changes in cytokeratin expression.     

Subpopulations of primary adult murine epidermal basal cells sedimented on density gradients

Epidermal cells were harvested from the dorsal skin of adult mice by trypsinization and were sedimented through continuous density gradients of Percoll, formulated to separate basal cells of different buoyant density. Five fractions from the gradients were characterized with regard to the number of cells present, their viability and morphology and their basal origin. Suprabasal keratinocytes remained primarily at the top of the gradient; basal keratinocytes sedimented throughout. With increasing density, a relative enrichment was observed: (i) for [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-benzo[alpha]pyrene label-retaining (slowly cycling) keratinocytes; (ii) for keratinocytes that could proliferate in vitro in the continuous presence of 0.1 micrograms ml-1 of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; (iii) for cells from untreated as well as initiated epidermis able to proliferate under conditions where calcium induces terminal differentiation; and (iv) for primary in vitro clonogenic keratinocytes from normal epidermis. The relative enrichment for epidermal basal cells having characteristics thought to be associated with immaturity and with the initiation and promotion of skin carcinogenesis suggests that density gradient sedimentation could be used in conjunction with other methods for the eventual purification of epidermal progenitors.     

Localization and quantitation of calcium pools and calcium binding sites in cultured human keratinocytes

Calcium plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and differentiation of cultured keratinocytes. However, the mechanism(s) of this regulation is not clear. Prior studies have shown that intracellular free calcium (Cai) increases with keratinocyte differentiation. In this study, in order to evaluate the role of cytosolic free calcium and organelle-bound calcium in keratinocyte differentiation, we quantitated and localized calcium pools in keratinocytes, utilizing the fluorescence probe indo-1 and ion-capture cytochemistry, respectively. Cai of undifferentiated keratinocytes was 80–120 nM, whereas Cai of differentiated keratinocytes was 200–300 nM depending on the extent of differentiation. The Cai of individual cells in an undifferentiated colony was heterogeneous (60–160 nM) with larger cells displaying higher Cai. Heterogeneity also was observed in the intracellular calcium-containing precipitates in the different layers of stratifying keratinocyte cultures using the cytochemical technique. Calcium precipitates were abundant in the lower cell layers, progressively decreasing apically, with the uppermost layer devoid of precipitates. Calcium-containing precipitates appeared as fine-tocoarse electron-dense granules on the plasma membrane, within the cytosol, mitochondria, nucleus, and vacuolar organelles. Whereas ionomycin in the presence of extracellular calcium increased the amount of intracellular calcium precipitates, EGTA removed calcium precipitates from organelles. Unlike intact epidermis, keratinocytes displayed no extracellular calcium reservoirs. Putative calcium binding sites, visualized by trivalent lanthanum (La) binding, were abundant on cell membranes and desmosomes of basaloid cells, but decreased in the upper cell layers. These studies revealed differences in the distribution of free ionic calcium (as determined by the fluorescence technique) and organelle-bound calcium (as determined by the cytochemical technique). Striking differences were also observed in calcium localization between intact epidermis and cultured epidermal cells. The localization pattern of calcium in cultured keratinocytes may reflect the hyperproliferative state of these cells, as in psoriatic epidermis, and/or the absence of a normal permeability barrier in these submerged cultures. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Subpopulations of primary adult murine epidermal basal cells sedimented on density gradients

Abstract. Epidermal cells were harvested from the dorsal skin of adult mice by trypsinization and were sedimented through continuous density gradients of Percoll, formulated to separate basal cells of different buoyant density. Five fractions from the gradients were characterized with regard to the number of cells present, their viability and morphology and their basal origin. Suprabasal keratinocytes remained primarily at the top of the gradient; basal keratinocytes sedimented throughout. With increasing density, a relative enrichment was observed: (i) for [³H]-thymidine and [³H]-benzo[a]pyrene label-retaining (slowly cycling) keratinocytes; (ii) for keratinocytes that could proliferate in vitro in the continuous presence of 0–1 μ g ml^-1 of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; (iii) for cells from untreated as well as initiated epidermis able to proliferate under conditions where calcium induces terminal differentiation; and (iv) for primary in vitro clonogenic keratinocytes from normal epidermis. The relative enrichment for epidermal basal cells having characteristics thought to be associated with immaturity and with the initiation and promotion of skin carcinogenesis suggests that density gradient sedimentation could be used in conjunction with other methods for the eventual purification of epidermal progenitors.     

Epidermal calcium-binding protein: a marker of early differentiation of basal layer keratinocytes of rats

Epidermal calcium-binding protein (ECaBP) is present in the cells of the basal layer of the epidermis and other stratified epithelia. Since the basal layer compartment contains at least two types of cells: slow-cycling, poorly-differentiated, and actively proliferating, more differentiated cells, it was of interest to determine whether they both contained ECaBP. Basal and nearly suprabasal layer keratinocytes from newborn rat epidermis were fractionated into three fractions on the basis of cell size, using low-gravity sedimentation. The cell differentiation in each subgroup was estimated by cell size, morphology, cell cycle stage, RNA/DNA content, and the presence of specific keratins. The presence of ECaBP in these fractions was detected by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Double staining with ECaBP antibodies and propidium iodide followed by flow cytometry was used to correlate ECaBP production and the stage of cell cycle. The relative cell size, measured by the light scattering was used to study the relationship between cell size and ECaBP production. The results show that small keratinocytes with low DNA and RNA content (G₀ cells) do not express ECaBP. ECaBP was found only in intermediate size basal keratinocytes with higher DNA and RNA contents, corresponding to actively proliferating S phase cells. Large keratinocytes, which express suprabasal keratin and have low DNA and high RNA content, cease to express ECaBP. ECaBP may, therefore, be a useful marker for assessing the movement of cells from poorly differentiated reserve compartment towards proliferation and further differentiation in both physiological and pathological situations.     

Calcium-induced reorganization of desmosomal components in cultured human keratinocytes

We used antibodies raised against individual desmosomal components to study calcium-induced desmosome formation in human keratinocytes. When keratinocytes are forced to grow as a monolayer by reducing the level of calcium ions in the culture medium, there is little contact between adjacent cells. Raising the level of calcium ions rapidly induces desmosome formation, and stratification occurs within 24 h. We found that before addition of calcium the 115,000- and 100,000-mol-wt core glycoproteins were distributed over the entire cell surface, whereas the plaque proteins (205,000 and 230,000 mol wt), the 82,000- and 86,000-mol-wt proteins, and the 150,000-mol-wt glycoprotein were located throughout the cytoplasm. 15 min after increasing the calcium ion concentration, all of these molecules appeared at the cell margins. The intensity of peripheral staining increased over the next 2 h and during this time the distribution of keratin filaments changed from predominantly perinuclear to extend throughout the cytoplasm. Keratinocytes could be dissociated with EDTA for up to 2 h after exposure to calcium. After 3 h of exposure to calcium the cells were no longer susceptible to EDTA dissociation and staining for desmosomal plaque antigens persisted in regions of intercellular contact. Desmosomal staining in stratified cultures became greatly reduced within 24 h of lowering the calcium ion concentration again. We have preliminary evidence that stratification occurs by breakdown of desmosomes at lateral surfaces and reformation at surfaces of contact between basal and suprabasal cells, rather than by rearrangement of existing desmosomes. Involucrin-positive cells in the monolayer appeared to contain more 205,000- and 230,000-mol-wt proteins free in the cytoplasm than involucrin-negative cells.     

The influence of fixation on the relative amount of cytoplasmic ribosomes in mouse epidermal basal keratinocytes. A morphometric study of so-called "dark cells" and their putative role in epidermal carcinogenesis

The nature and significance of so-called dark keratinocytes in the epidermis during chemical carcinogenesis is still a matter of concern and debate. Based on ultrastructural observations it has been suggested that dark cells most often are shrunken cells. Reports on skin carcinogenesis, however, claim that dark cells are a sign of ongoing tumor promotion and represent those stem cells in the epidermis from which the tumors originate. It is therefore important to find out whether these cells are simply injured and shrunken cells, or vital cells of great importance for carcinogenesis. Dark cells are assumed to be rich in ribosomes. There is evidence, however, that the observed number of dark cells is highly dependent on tissue fixation. In the present ultrastructural study, morphometric methods were used to compare the effects of two different fixation procedures on the amount of cytoplasmic ribosomes in dark cells from both untreated and carcinogen-treated hairless mouse epidermis. The results show that the ultrastructural features of both dark and clear cells vary considerably with different fixation procedures. In acetone-treated controls typical dark cells are only observed when the fixative has a lower osmotic activity than the plasma. With iso-osmolal fixation typical dark cells are not observed. After an abortive two-stage carcinogenesis treatment, in which a single application of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) in acetone was followed by a single application of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA) in acetone, signs of cell injury could be found after both fixation procedures. With DMBA/TPA and hypo-osmolal fixation the number of dark cells seemed to increase, whereas only signs of cell injury with occurrence of some heavily altered "clear cells" dominated the picture with iso-osmolal fixation. Morphometry showed that both the numerical and the volumetric densities of cytoplasmic ribosomes in basal keratinocytes varied most significantly with the fixation procedure used. The cytoplasmic volumes did not vary in a way that could explain these differences. One might therefore assume that the number of ribosomes depends on the fixative. Large swelling artifacts occurred when a fixative with low osmotic activity was used, leading to compression of neighboring cells. Hence, an increased ribosomal density reported previously in dark cells is probably related to such cell volume artifacts and does not reflect an actually increased quantity of ribosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Evidence for two points of restriction in the expression of adenovirus type 2 in cultured epidermal keratinocytes.

Cultures of epidermal keratinocytes contain two populations of cells, a basal undifferentiated population and a suprabasal terminally differentiated population. When exposed to wild-type adenovirus type 2 (wtAd2), the suprabasal cells are positive by immunofluorescence for capsid antigen and exhibit cytopathic effects (CPE) (R.F. LaPorta, and L.B. Taichman, Virology 110:137-146, 1981). The basal cells, although infected, are not positive for capsid antigen and do not display CPE. Despite CPE and capsid antigens in suprabasal cells, yields of virus from the entire culture are very low (10 PFU per cell). These observations suggest that Ad2 expression is restricted at different times in the viral life cycle in basal and suprabasal cells. To test this hypothesis, we isolated host range (hr) mutants of Ad2 on two lines of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) keratinocytes which were shown to be restrictive for wtAd2 replication. The hrAd2 mutants produced high yields of progeny virus in epidermal cell cultures (500 to 600 PFU per cell). However, the pattern of CPE induction in these cultures was like that produced by wtAd2, i.e., basal cells were CPE negative and suprabasal cells were CPE positive. The high yield of hrAd2 progeny indicated that the restriction present in suprabasal cells was overcome. However, the failure of hrAd2 mutants to induce CPE in basal cells indicated that the hrAd2 mutants remain restricted in the basal population and supported our hypothesis that a second and distinct restriction exists in basal keratinocytes.     

Calcium-induced changes in cytoskeleton and motility of cultured human keratinocytes

In normal epidermis keratinocytes migrate upward from the basal layer as they undergo terminal differentiation, yet they also have the capacity for lateral movement during wound healing. The purpose of our experiments was to investigate these two types of movement by manipulating the calcium ion concentration of the medium so that keratinocytes formed monolayers (0.1 mM calcium) or stratified sheets (2.0 mM calcium). Time-lapse video recording indicated that keratinocytes in low-calcium medium were laterally more motile than keratinocytes in normal medium. This was consistent with the ultrastructural appearance of the cells and the lack of desmosomal junctions, determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. During calcium-induced stratification keratinocytes moved upward from the basal layer by gliding over their neighbors and forming contacts with other suprabasal cells. Keratinocytes in low-calcium medium migrated into wounds made in the cultures, a process which was inhibited by monensin; however, stratified keratinocytes in normal medium did not enter wounds. Cytochalasin D caused rapid cell rounding and disruption of actin filaments in keratinocytes grown in low-calcium but not in normal medium, indicating more rapid treadmilling of actin and consistent with the greater motility of keratinocytes in low-calcium medium. Our results suggest that desmosome formation may place constraints on the movement of individual keratinocytes and that the actomyosin cytoskeleton is involved in lateral migration.     

Isolation, characterization, and in vitro cultivation of keratinocyte subfractions from adult NMRI mouse epidermis: Epidermal target cells for phorbol esters

Adult dorsal mouse epidermis (strain NMRI) was separated from dermis in thin-split sections by cold trypsinization. From the isolated keratinocytes four cell fractions (F1-F4) were obtained using discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The fractions were characterized by light microscopy, by indirect immunofluorescence using specific lectins (Bandeirea simplicifolia and Ulex europaeus) and an antibody against the spinous 67-kDa keratin polypeptides, and by electrophoretic analysis of the keratin polypeptide patterns. The heavy fractions, F3 and F4, were identified as being derived from the basal cell layer, whereas the light fractions, F1 and F2, consisted mainly of suprabasal cells. The basal cells (F3 and F4) could be cultivated on plastic substratum coated with rat-tail collagen (4 X MEM, 10% FCS at 34 degrees C; plating efficiency 70-85%). Labeling of DNA with [3H]thymidine indicated that during the first 5 days of cultivation, basal cells ran through two cell cycles, after which the proliferative activity ceased due to terminal differentiation. The addition of the tumor promoter TPA led to a stimulation of DNA synthesis in confluent cultures of both F3 and F4 cells.     

Intercellular adhering junctions with an asymmetric molecular composition: desmosomes connecting Merkel cells and keratinocytes

Merkel cells (MCs) are special neuroendocrine epithelial cells that occur as individual cells or as cell groups within the confinements of a major epithelium formed and dominated by other epithelial cells. In the epidermis and some of its appendages MCs are mostly located in the basal cell layer, occasionally also in suprabasal layers and generally occur in linear arrays in outer root sheath cell layers of hair follicles. As MCs are connected to the adjacent keratinocytes by a series of adhering junctions (AJs), of which the desmosomes are the most prominent, these junctions represent heterotypic cell–cell connections, i.e. a kind of structure not yet elucidated in molecular terms. Therefore, we have studied these AJs in order to examine the molecular composition of the desmosomal halves. Using light- and electron-microscopic immunolocalization and keratin 20 as the MC-specific cell type marker we show that the plaques of the MC half of the desmosomes specifically and constitutively contain plakophilin Pkp2. This protein, however, is absent in the keratinocyte half of such heterotypic desmosomes which instead contains Pkp1 and/or Pkp3. We discuss the developmental, tissue-architectonic and functional importance of such asymmetric junctions in normal physiology as well as in diseases, in particular in the formation of distant tumor cell metastasis.     

Intracellular localization of keratinocyte Fas ligand explains lack of cytolytic activity under physiological conditions

Acquired Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated cytolytic activity of human keratinocytes causes the massive keratinocyte cell death that occurs during toxic epidermal necrolysis, a deadly adverse drug eruption. Under normal conditions keratinocyte apoptosis is a rare event in the epidermis although keratinocytes express the death receptor Fas and its ligand. Here we have investigated why this is so. We show that Fas, FasL, Fas-associated death domain, and caspase-8 mRNA are detectable in the epidermis, primary keratinocyte cultures, and keratinocyte cell line and that Fas protein is expressed in keratinocytes of all subcorneal layers of the epidermis, whereas FasL is only expressed in the basal and first suprabasal layers. Coexpression of Fas and FasL therefore occurs in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. In vitro, keratinocytes are killed by recombinant FasL in a dose-dependent manner, but they are unable to kill Fas-sensitive target cells despite FasL expression. Analysis of keratinocyte culture supernatants and treatment of keratinocytes with metalloproteinase inhibitors excluded cell surface expression of FasL and rapid metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage of cell surface FasL. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter, confocal microscopical, and electron microscopical analysis revealed that keratinocyte FasL is localized intracellularly predominantly associated to intermediate filaments. These data suggest that the observed inability of keratinocyte FasL to induce apoptosis under physiological conditions is due to its cellular localization and also indicate that intermediate filaments may be involved in regulating the subcellular localization of FasL.     

Localization of immuno-analogues of erythrocyte protein 4.1 and spectrin in epidermis of psoriasis vulgaris

The presence and localization of immuno-analogues of human erythrocyte protein 4.1 and spectrin were examined in the epidermis of psoriasis vulgaris. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against human erythrocyte protein 4.1 revealed that psoriatic epidermis contains a 4.1-like protein of 80 kDa, and also minor immunoreactive polypeptides, including a 45-kDa polypeptide. The 45-kDa band was not detected in non-lesional epidermis. Lesional epidermis of psoriasis contains spectrin-like proteins of 240 kDa. Analysis with immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that 4.1-like proteins were detected mainly in the cytoplasm of the suprabasal cells in lesional epidermis and in the peripheral cytoplasm of the basal cells in non-lesional epidermis. On the other hand, spectrin-like proteins were localized to the peripheral cytoplasm of basal keratinocytes in both lesional and non-lesional psoriatic epidermis. The present results indicate that proteins related to protein 4.1 and spectrin are consistently detected within epidermal cells of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease characterized by epidermal hyperplasia; the expression and distribution of protein 4.1 in lesional epidermis of psoriasis differs from that in non-lesional epidermis. These membrane skeletal proteins may be of significance in the hyperproliferative epidermis of psoriasis.