Immunohistochemical Study on Cytokeratin Expression in Epidermis of Human Fetus

Park, Sung Sik; Yang, Dong Ho; Nam, Kwang Il; Kim, Shin Kon

Abstract

To identify the developmental characteristics of intermediate filaments, the expressions of various cytokeratines (CK), desmin and vimentin in fetal (14032 weeks of gestations) and adult epidermis were studied immunohistochemically. The primary antibodies used were CK7, 8, 10, 14, 18, AE8, 5D3, and MNFl16 for cytokeratins, D33 for desmin, and V9 for vimentin. At 14 weeks of gestation, the epidermis consisted of basal cells and periderm. The periderm exhibited positive staining for CK8 and AE8, and weak staining for MNF116 and D33. The basal cells showed positive staining for MNF116 and D33. The epidermis did not reacted for CK7, 10, 14, 18, 5D3, and V9 at this period. At 16-20 weeks of gestation, the epidermis was composed of basal, intermediate, and periderm layers. The periderm was positive for CK8, 18, AE8, MNF116, and D33. The intermediate cells were positive for CK10 and the basal cells CK14, MNF116, and D33. Few cells were stained positively with V9 among the basal cells. At 24-32 weeks of gestation, the epidermis exhibited no longer positive reactions for CK8, 18, AE8 and D33. The intermediate cells were positive for CK10. Immunoreactivity for MNF116 was noted in intermediate layer just above the basal layer. CKl4, MNFl16, D33, and often V9 were expressed in basal cells. The expressions of CK7 and 5D3 were not observed at any period of gestation. In adult epidermis, basal cells exhibited positive staining for CKl4, MNFl16, and D33. The intermediate cells were strongly positive for CK10, and weakly positive for CK7, 8, and MNFl16. The cells positive for V9 were often present among the basal cells. These results indicate that CK8 and 18 may serve as useful markers for periderm, CK10 for intermediate cells, CKl4 for basal cell, and suggest that the vimentin immunoreactive cells in basal cell layer are Langerhans cells.