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Desmocollin 1 and desmoglein 1 expression in human epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa: a comparative immunohistochemical and molecular study

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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.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to Prof. Chiarella Sforza who carefully read this manuscript. We thank Mrs. Silvia Celon and Mr. Osvaldo De Negri for their skillfulness in performing immunofluorescence experiments and Mrs. Marianna Gaman and Mr. Luciano Losi for their excellent electron microscopy work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Morphology, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli, 31, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Elena Donetti, Marzia Bedoni, Elena Boschini, Claudia Dellavia, Isabella Barajon & Nicoletta Gagliano

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  1. Elena Donetti
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  2. Marzia Bedoni
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  3. Elena Boschini
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  4. Claudia Dellavia
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  6. Nicoletta Gagliano
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Correspondence to Elena Donetti.

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Donetti, E., Bedoni, M., Boschini, E. et al. Desmocollin 1 and desmoglein 1 expression in human epidermis and keratinizing oral mucosa: a comparative immunohistochemical and molecular study. Arch Dermatol Res 297, 31–38 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-005-0573-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-005-0573-9

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