Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
1992-11-3
pubmed:abstractText
The integrin alpha 6 beta 4 is a member of the integrin family of adhesion receptors. The integrin alpha 6 beta 4 is preferentially expressed in stratified squamous epithelia, where it is localized in hemidesmosomes. A reduced number of rudimentary hemidesmosomes is often found in skin from patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). In this study we have investigated the expression of alpha 6 beta 4 in skin specimens of patients with junctional (one non-lethal, two lethal) and dystrophic (two) epidermolysis bullosa, using immunofluorescent (IF) staining with five different monoclonal antibodies against the alpha 6 and beta 4 subunits. The intensity of IF staining of the integrin alpha 6 beta 4 and bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPA) was unreduced along the epidermal basement membrane zone (EBMZ) of all EB patients, compared to that in skin of healthy human controls. However, in the skin of two patients with lethal (Herlitz) JEB, who did not express GB3, IF staining of integrin alpha 6 beta 4 and BPA showed a "stitchy" discontinuous linear pattern along the EBMZ with interruptions at the borders of adjoining basal keratinocytes. The same results were obtained by immunoelectron microscopy. They corresponded with freeze-induced partial cell detachment from the basement membrane at the ultimate baso-lateral edge of the basal keratinocytes in lethal JEB skin. The basal lamellipodia at that location almost completely lacked tonofilaments and hemidesmosomes. Furthermore, in JEB there was a split between the intra- and extracellular epitopes of the integrin alpha 6 beta 4 receptor, whereas the integrin remains intact in salt-split skin. This suggests that the defect is in alpha 6 beta 4 itself or perhaps its ligand.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0022-202X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
99
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
489-96
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1992
pubmed:articleTitle
Expression of integrin alpha 6 beta 4 in junctional epidermolysis bullosa.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article