Beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion signalling is essential for epidermal progenitor cell expansion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a major discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo results regarding the role of beta1 integrins in the maintenance of epidermal stem/progenitor cells. Studies of mice with skin-specific ablation of beta1 integrins suggested that epidermis can form and be maintained in their absence, while in vitro data have shown a fundamental role for these adhesion receptors in stem/progenitor cell expansion and differentiation.

Methodology/principal findings

To elucidate this discrepancy we generated hypomorphic mice expressing reduced beta1 integrin levels on keratinocytes that developed similar, but less severe defects than mice with beta1-deficient keratinocytes. Surprisingly we found that upon aging these abnormalities attenuated due to a rapid expansion of cell

SUBMITTER: Piwko-Czuchra A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2676508 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature