Ablation of the calcium-sensing receptor in keratinocytes impairs epidermal differentiation and barrier function.

ABSTRACT: The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) has an essential role in mediating Ca(2+)-induced keratinocyte differentiation in vitro. In this study, we generated keratinocyte-specific CaR knockout ((Epid)CaR(-/-)) mice to investigate the function of the CaR in epidermal development in vivo. (Epid)CaR(-/-) mice exhibited a delay in permeability barrier formation during embryonic development. Ion capture cytochemistry detected the loss of the epidermal Ca(2+) gradient in the (Epid)CaR(-/-) mice. The expression of terminal differentiation markers and key enzymes mediating epidermal sphingolipid transport and processing in the (Epid)CaR(-/-) epidermis was significantly reduced. The (Epid)CaR(-/-) epidermis displayed a marked decrease in the number of lamellar bodies (LBs) and LB secretion, thinner lipid

SUBMITTER: Tu CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3434298 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature