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Published on: May 28, 2021
Expression of REIC/Dkk-3 in normal and hyperproliferative epidermis
Gang Du1, Ken Kataoka, Masakiyo Sakaguchi
1Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Experimental Dermatology
|February 18, 2011
Summary
Dickkopf family member 3 (REIC/Dkk-3) is expressed in normal skin but downregulated in hyperproliferative epidermis, including skin cancers and inflammatory conditions. This suggests a role in regulating skin cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Dickkopf (Dkk) proteins are Wnt signaling modulators crucial for development, cell growth, differentiation, and cancer.
- REIC/Dkk-3, a Dkk family member, does not interfere with Wnt signaling and is proposed as a tumor suppressor, but its physiological role is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of REIC/Dkk-3 in normal and hyperproliferative epidermis.
- To determine the role of REIC/Dkk-3 in skin cancer and other proliferative skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of REIC/Dkk-3 expression in normal human and mouse interfollicular epidermis (IFE).
- Examination of REIC/Dkk-3 expression in skin cancer cell lines.
- Evaluation of REIC/Dkk-3 expression in patient samples of hyperproliferative epidermis, including skin cancers and non-cancerous proliferative diseases.
- Assessment of REIC/Dkk-3 suppression in regenerative and inflammatory epidermis models in mice.
Main Results:
- REIC/Dkk-3 is expressed in normal human and mouse IFE, localized at the upper spinous and granular layer interface.
- Skin cancer cell lines exhibit loss of REIC/Dkk-3 expression.
- REIC/Dkk-3 expression is significantly downregulated in hyperproliferative epidermis, encompassing skin cancers and non-cancerous proliferative conditions.
- REIC/Dkk-3 is also suppressed in regenerative and inflammatory conditions of the epidermis in mouse models.
Conclusions:
- REIC/Dkk-3 expression is inversely correlated with epidermal proliferation.
- Downregulation of REIC/Dkk-3 may be a significant event in the pathogenesis of skin cancers and other proliferative skin diseases.
- Further research into REIC/Dkk-3's function is warranted for understanding skin homeostasis and disease.
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