Changes in cytokeratin expression in epidermal keratinocytes during wound healing

Abstract

In order to investigate the re-epithelialization process during wound healing, the hair on the back of guinea pigs was shaved and then excisional wounds were made through the entire thickness of the skin. Histological changes were observed and changes in the expression of different cytokeratin polypeptides were examined using an immunohistochemical technique. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the proliferating and migrating keratinocytes expressed the same cytokeratins as the basal cells of normal epidermis. In addition, the entire epidermis of fairly remote areas from the edges of the wound where no thickening was observed showed a temporarily abnormal staining pattern. The suprabasal cells in the regenerating epidermis temporarily expressed cytokeratins not only specific for suprabasal cells but also specific for basal cells. The cytokeratins expressed in normal basal keratinocytes were also present in the thickened granular layers. These data indicate that the expression of cytokeratins in the epidermal keratinocytes (even in fairly remote areas from the wound edges) changes during wound healing, that the origin of the migrating keratinocytes from the remaining epidermis seems to be the basal cells in the epidermis, and that the appearance of keratohyalin granules is not related to changes in cytokeratin expression.

Fluorinated methacrylamide chitosan hydrogel dressings enhance healing in an acute porcine wound model

“…These results further support a role for oxygen availability in keratinocyte differentiation, which is known specifically to be heavily dependent on energy synthesis [41,42]. Oxygen availability affects keratinocyte differentiation through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species mechanism [43] and improves differentiation to yield cytokeratin I and II expressing cells [44]. These results are supported by in vitro work that has shown that in low oxygen tensions (< 21%) keratinocyte differentiation is reduced as compared to responses in atmospheric oxygen [41].…”

Polymeric membranes modulate human keratinocyte differentiation in specific epidermal layers

“…The morphological changes in keratinocyte differentiation are furthermore associated with changes in the cytokeratins content [27]. In particular, CK1 is typically co-expressed with CK10 and both are differentiation specific keratins expressed in the suprabasal levels of epidermis [6].…”

Extracorporeal Shockwaves (ESW) Promote Proliferation and Differentiation of Keratinocytes In vitro-Histology and Immunohistochemistry

“…In wound healing, the expression of the cytokeratins changes during phase of healing process, and position that keratinocytes have in healing tissue [11]. What this study revealed is that the migrating keratinocytes expressed same, basal cytokeratin.…”

“…Maturation of keratinocytes occurs simultaneously with their migration over the wound bed. Keratinocyte maturation is characterized with pool of cytokeratin, intermediate filament within the cell [11]. During the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes two major classes of proteins, namely tissue-specific cytokeratins on the one hand, and components of the cornified envelope (e.g.…”