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Epidermal differentiation enhances CRABP II expression in human skin
M S Eller1, D D Harkness, J Bhawan
1Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins (CRABP II) are upregulated in differentiating skin cells and in epidermis near skin cancers. CRABP I is found in the dermis surrounding tumors, suggesting roles in skin differentiation and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins (CRABP I and II) are involved in mediating retinoic acid effects.
- Understanding CRABP expression is crucial for skin biology and cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of CRABP I and CRABP II mRNAs in normal and abnormal human skin.
- To correlate CRABP expression with keratinocyte differentiation and skin carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized riboprobes specific for CRABP I and CRABP II mRNAs.
- Analyzed mRNA expression in normal skin, newborn skin, sun-protected adult skin, and skin adjacent to or overlying squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.
- Examined expression in hair follicles and surrounding dermal cells.
Main Results:
- CRABP II mRNA was predominantly found in suprabasal epidermal layers, with higher expression in newborn skin.
- Strong CRABP II expression was observed in the epidermis surrounding skin tumors, while tumor cells were largely negative.
- CRABP II mRNA was also detected in differentiated cells of hair follicles.
- CRABP I message was undetectable in normal epidermis/dermis but present in papillary dermis near carcinomas.
Conclusions:
- Increased CRABP II mRNA levels correlate with keratinocyte differentiation in vivo.
- CRABP expression patterns may indicate roles in both normal skin differentiation and the microenvironment of skin cancers.