Hemidesmosomes regulate epidermal differentiation during embryogenesis.

ABSTRACT: In skin epidermis, integrins mediate adhesion of basal keratinocytes to the underlying basement membrane. While high expression of integrins has been correlated with stemness, there is limited direct evidence that integrins mediate keratinocyte retention within the basal layer. Here, we generate mosaic, epidermal-specific loss of integrin-β4 (encoded by Itgb4) or its ligand, laminin-α3β3ɣ2 (Lama3), using an in utero lentiviral-mediated approach. Although mutations in these genes cause postnatal skin blistering in mice and humans, we observe no evidence of epidermal-dermal separation embryonically. Despite no obvious alterations to apicobasal polarity, Itgb4-deficient basal cells show mild defects in oriented cell divisions, with increased oblique divisions and a

SUBMITTER: King JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12621979 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature