Effects of cellophane tape stripping of mouse skin on epidermal growth regulators (chalones)

Variations in epidermal chalones after a single surface application of methylcholanthrene and croton oil have been described in previous papers. This paper reports a study of the effect of adhesive tape stripping of the skin on epidermal growth regulators (G1 and G2 chalones). Pieces of adhesive tape were applied 6 times to the same area of skin in groups of mice. The short-term effects of tape stripping on epidermal DNA synthesis and on mitotic rate were studied at different intervals after stripping. Other groups of mice were killed at similar time intervals after stripping, and the treated area of skin was homogenized and extracted with water. The inhibitory effect of these extracts on normal epidermal DNA synthesis and mitotic rate was assayed in normal hairless mice. The resulting inhibitions were interpreted as an expression of the concentration of G1 or G2 chalone in the skin extracts. The first experiment confirmed that cellophane tape stripping gives rise to a short block in epidermal mitotic activity and probably also in DNA synthesis. This was followed by bimodal peaks of increased activity, the two maxima of labelling index being found on days 2 and 6, and the two maxima of mitotic rate on days 1-2 and 7. The concentrations of the two chalones in the skins of treated animals varied in inverse proportion to the alterations in the DNA synthesis and the mitotic rate, with one exception. Here there was initially a depression of the mitotic rate and a low concentration of G2 chalone. This was interpreted as a short reaction of the basel cells to the stripping trauma. It is concluded that adhesive tape stripping removes the differentiating cells and injures some basel cells, simultaneously altering the content of G1 and G2 chalones. The resulting increase in the rates of DNA synthesis and mitosis lasts only until the number of cells is high enough to produce growth-regulating substances (chalones) again. This theory may explain the changes observed. Since similar reactions are seen after both carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic chemical injury of the epidermis, the reaction pattern seems to be a general response to cell injury or cell removal.