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Related Concept Videos

Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are  essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...

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Creation of Abdominal Adhesions in Mice
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Dermo--epidermal adhesion and its effect on epidermal structure in the mouse.

W S Bullough, J U Deol

    The British Journal of Dermatology
    |October 1, 1975
    PubMed
    Summary

    Skin thickness varies due to dermo-epidermal adhesion strength. Low adhesion in mouse ears results in thin epidermis, while high adhesion in footpads leads to thick epidermis with basal cell crowding.

    Area of Science:

    • Dermatology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Epidermal thickness varies significantly across different body regions.
    • The factors regulating epidermal stratification and thickness are not fully understood.
    • Dermo-epidermal adhesion is a potential, yet understudied, determinant of epidermal morphology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between dermo-epidermal adhesion strength and epidermal thickness in different mouse skin regions.
    • To determine how mitotic activity and cell crowding are influenced by adhesion forces.
    • To elucidate the role of dermal grip in regulating epidermal cell numbers.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative analysis of mouse ear and sole-of-foot epidermis.
    • Microscopic examination of basal and distal epidermal cell layers.

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  • Assessment of mitotic activity and cell extrusion rates.
  • Evaluation of dermo-epidermal adhesion through indirect evidence of cell crowding and folding.

    • Main Results:

    • Mouse ear epidermis exhibits low dermo-epidermal adhesion, resulting in low basal cell numbers and thin epidermis.
    • Mouse sole-of-foot epidermis shows high dermo-epidermal adhesion, leading to basal cell crowding and a columnar basal epithelium.
    • The highest adhesion in the footpad center correlates with increased basal cell numbers and epidermal thickening due to baseline folding.
    • Epidermal cells are considered equipotential, with regional differences determined by local mitotic rates and adhesion.

    Conclusions:

    • Dermo-epidermal adhesion strength is a critical determinant of epidermal thickness.
    • High adhesion promotes cell crowding and thickening, whereas low adhesion facilitates cell extrusion and thinning.
    • The interplay between mitotic rate and dermal grip governs epidermal morphology across different body sites.