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Cellular origin of the dermal-epidermal basement membrane
M P Marinkovich1, D R Keene, C S Rimberg
1Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Summary
This study reveals that dermal fibroblasts contribute significantly to skin basement membrane formation. Fibroblasts synthesize key components, aiding in basement membrane assembly alongside epithelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- The basement membrane underlying skin epithelium is traditionally considered epithelial in origin.
- Mesenchymal cell contributions to basement membrane formation have not been thoroughly investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly assess both epithelial and mesenchymal contributions to basement membrane formation.
- To elucidate the role of fibroblasts in basement membrane synthesis and assembly.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of fetal bovine keratinocytes with dermal fibroblasts on collagen gels.
- Analysis of basement membrane formation using indirect immunofluorescent microscopy (IF) with human-specific antibodies.
- Organ culture of human foreskin explants to study fibroblast behavior.
Main Results:
- Keratinocytes alone did not form a recognizable basement membrane.
- Co-culture with fibroblasts resulted in basement membrane formation with biochemical and ultrastructural similarity to human skin basement membrane.
- Dermal fibroblasts were shown to synthesize and deposit type IV collagen, type VII collagen, and laminin.
- Both keratinocytes and fibroblasts contributed various basement membrane components, including heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG).
Conclusions:
- Differentiated fibroblasts adjacent to epithelial tissues in vivo likely produce basement membrane components.
- Fibroblasts play a crucial role in the assembly and maintenance of the skin basement membrane.
- This finding challenges the solely epithelial origin theory of basement membranes.