【Title】

Expression characteristics of human skin epidermal stem cell proliferation and differentiation-related genes during different developmental periods

【Source】

Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research  June 4, 2009  Vol.13 No. 23，4442-4446

【Author】

Huang Pei-xin¹, Liu De-wu², Wang Xiao-rong¹, Mao Yuan-gui², Chen Jian-ping², Lan Wei²

【Setting】

¹Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang   471003, Henan Province, China; ²Institute of Burn, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang   330006, Jiangxi Province, China

【Found】

Supported by: the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30560058*; the Great Invited Tenders Foundation of Jiangxi Science and Technology Bureau, No. 200604*

【Abstract】

BACKGROUND: The difference in number, proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells may be a key reason for the decrease in wound healing ability with age.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression characteristics of β1 integrin, keratin-19, p63 transcriptional factor and telomerase reverse transcriptase during different developmental periods of human epidermal stem cells.

DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cytological in vitro controlled study was performed at the Institute of Burn, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University from September 2005 to April 2007.

MATERIALS: Skin samples of aborted fetus were supplied by the Department of Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University. Remaining skin samples of 4-12 children and 25-45 adults following surgery were obtained from the Department of Burn, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University.

METHODS: Following sampling, these samples were fixed in neutral formalin, embeded into paraffin, placed at 4 ℃. After series of sections, integrin β1, keratin19, p63 transcription factor and telomerase reverse transcriptase monoclonal antibody were considered as the primary antibody. Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect expression of epidermal stem cell markers in skin tissues.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Optical microscope at 200× magnification was used to observe the staining results. Positive expression rate of epidermal stem cell markers was measured.

RESULTS: The β1 integrin, keratin 19, p63 and telomerase reverse transcriptase positive cells were mainly located in the epidermal basement membrane, and the expression levels of those indexes were highest in the fetus skin, lower in the skins of the child and adult, the distribution was uniformity in the fetus and adult samples. Lowest expression was found in the adult sample. The expression of β1 integrin, keratin 19, p63 and telomerase reverse transcriptase in the different development periods revealed decreasing tendency with the age increasing (F = 5.06, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The epidermal stem cells of the fetus, child and adult are mainly located in the epidermal basement membrane, and the positive expression sector and the expression levels of the telomerase have a same level with the location and positive expression level of the epidermal stem cells. It has shown that the quantity and the expression of the telomerase of the epidermal stem cells may have a relation with the repair ability of the skin tissue during different developmental periods.

【Number of pictures】

12 figures

【Full text】

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