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Updated: May 14, 2026
Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
[Profiles of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the mouse epithelial regeneration model K6b-E6/E7]
José Bonilla-Delgado1, Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe, Enoc Mariano Cortés-Malagón
1Laboratorio de Genética y Diagnóstico Molecular. Unidad de Investigación. Hospital Juárez de México, México, D.F., Mexico. jbonilla@cinvestav.mx
Background:
Mammals have limited epithelial regeneration capacity. The K6b-E6/E7 mice model has been described as useful for the study of epithelial regeneration. The objective of this study is to compare the expression of E6/E7 oncogenes with those of cell proliferation and apoptosis during epithelization. The hypothesis of this study is that alterations in cell proliferation and apoptosis in K6b-E6/E7 mice will only occur during epithelization.
Methods:
Deep 2 mm punches were performed in the middle of transgenic and control mice's ears. A biopsy was collected from the epithelization zone 72 hours and 2 weeks post-injury. Assays for cell proliferation and apoptosis were carried out by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL techniques, respectively. RT-PCR in situ was performed to compare E6/E7 expressions in the areas studied.
Results:
Transgenic strain K6b-E6/E7 presented more proliferative cells and less apoptotic cells in epithelizated zones. This effect was limited to suprabasal stratum only, and correlates with E6/E7 oncogenes expression. Two weeks post-injury, cell proliferation and apoptosis were similar in both samples as the E6/E7 expression went down.
Conclusion:
K6b-E6/E7 mouse model is useful for epithelial regeneration. Its mechanisms should be considered for the treatment of deep wounds.
