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Whole-mount Immunohistochemical Analysis for Embryonic Limb Skin Vasculature: a Model System to Study Vascular Branching Morphogenesis in Embryo
Published on: May 20, 2011
Lymphotoxin-beta regulates periderm differentiation during embryonic skin development.
Chang-Yi Cui1, Makoto Kunisada, Diana Esibizione
1Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Human Molecular Genetics
|August 4, 2007
Summary
Lymphotoxin-beta (LTbeta) plays an early role in skin periderm differentiation. Its absence causes premature periderm detachment and affects hair follicle development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Lymphotoxin-beta (LTbeta) is crucial for immune system development and has roles in later hair development stages.
- Early high expression of LTbeta in the epidermis suggested a role in hair follicle induction or epithelial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific function of LTbeta in early skin development, particularly hair follicle induction and epithelial differentiation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LTbeta's role in periderm and epidermal differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of LTbeta-deficient (LTbeta(-/-)) mouse skin.
- Histopathological examination of skin development and periderm detachment.
- Gene expression profiling to identify affected genes and pathways.
Main Results:
- Hair follicles were normally induced in LTbeta(-/-) skin, but periderm detached prematurely.
- Down-regulation of a gene cluster for periderm-specific keratin-associated protein 13 and paralogs was observed.
- Transient alterations in epidermal differentiation markers (keratins, filaggrins) occurred during abnormal periderm detachment.
- Tabby mice (lacking EDA) showed similar, milder periderm defects, supporting LTbeta's role.
Conclusions:
- LTbeta has a primary, early function in periderm differentiation.
- LTbeta influences later, transient epidermal and hair follicle differentiation.
- The EDA gene pathway is involved in LTbeta-mediated skin development.
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