Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Generation of a Three-dimensional Full Thickness Skin Equivalent and Automated Wounding
Published on: February 26, 2015
Structural changes in intercellular junctions during keratinization of the stratum medium of the equine hoof wall
1Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546-0099.
Abstract:
Cells of the intertubular horn of the stratum medium of the equine hoof wall are joined by three types of junctions. Desmosomes and gap junctions were present in all strata. Septate-like junctions and an intercellular line were seen in the distal stratum spinosum subsequent to extrusion of the contents of membrane-coating granules. At a later stage of keratinization, non-membrane-bound acid phosphatase reaction product appeared to leak into the intercellular space except into areas occupied by septate-like junctions and the intercellular line. It is proposed that the formation of septate-like junctions and the intercellular line prior to leakage of acid phosphatase into the intercellular space created stable areas of intercellular adhesion between fully keratinized cells.
Related Concept Videos
Anchoring Junctions
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Desmosomes
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...

