Expression and localization of epithelial stem cell and differentiation markers in equine skin, eye and hoof.
Abstract: The limited characterization of equine skin, eye and hoof epithelial stem cell (ESC) and differentiation markers impedes the investigation of the physiology and pathophysiology of these tissues. Objective: To characterize ESC and differentiation marker expression in epithelial tissues of the equine eye, haired skin and hoof capsule. Methods: Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting were used to detect expression and tissue localization of keratin (K) isoforms K3, K10, K14 and K124, the transcription factor p63 (a marker of ESCs) and phosphorylated p63 [pp63; a marker of ESC transition to transit-amplifying (TA) cell] in epithelial tissues of the foot (haired skin, hoof coronet and hoof lamellae) and the eye (limbus and cornea). Results: Expression of K14 was restricted to the basal layer of epidermal lamellae and to basal and adjacent suprabasal layers of the haired skin, coronet and corneal limbus. Coronary and lamellar epidermis was negative for both K3 and K10, which were expressed in the cornea/limbus epithelium and haired skin epidermis, respectively. Variable expression of p63 with relatively low to high levels of phosphorylation was detected in individual basal and suprabasal cells of all epithelial tissues examined. Conclusions: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of the characterization of tissue-specific keratin marker expression and the localization of putative epithelial progenitor cell populations, including ESCs (high p63 expression with low pp63 levels) and TA cells (high expression of both p63 and pp63), in the horse. These results will aid further investigation of epidermal and corneal epithelial biology and regenerative therapies in horses.
© 2015 ESVD and ACVD.
Publication Date: 2015-05-12 PubMed ID: 25963063PubMed Central: PMC4506204DOI: 10.1111/vde.12214Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the expression and localization of markers for epithelial stem cells and their differentiation in the skin, eye, and hoof of horses. It represents the first time such markers have been identified and localized in these horse tissues, contributing to our understanding of their biology and providing a basis for potential regenerative therapies.
Objectives & Methods
- The goal of the study was to understand and describe the expression of epithelial stem cell (ESC) and differentiation markers in the equine tissues – skin, hoof capsule, and eye.
- The researchers used indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting, which are techniques used for detecting specific antigens (in this case, the ESC and differentiation markers) in tissue.
- The markers identified and studied were keratin (K) isoforms K3, K10, K14 and K124, and the transcription factor p63. Variations of these markers indicate stem cell activity or transition to transit-amplifying (TA) cell, a cell state representative of differentiation and tissue regeneration.
Findings
- The expression of K14, a keratin isoform, was identified in the basal layer of epidermal lamellae and suprabasal layers of the haired skin, coronet and corneal limbus.
- K3 and K10, another pair of keratin isoforms, were not detected in the coronary and lamellar epidermis but were expressed in the cornea/limbus epithelium and haired skin epidermis, respectively.
- The transcription factor p63 and its phosphorylated form [pp63] were variably expressed but were identified across all epithelial tissues in individual basal and suprabasal cells.
Conclusions
- This study offers the first set of data characterizing tissue-specific keratin marker expression and the localization of potential epithelial progenitor cell populations, including ESCs and TA cells, in horses.
- Understanding the locations of these cell populations and their state of differentiation can inform further studies into equine epithelial biology.
- Additionally, it opens a pathway for exploring regenerative therapies, given these cells’ role in tissue regeneration and contrasting expressions might help in future strategies for therapeutics.
Cite This Article
APA
Linardi RL, Megee SO, Mainardi SR, Senoo M, Galantino-Homer HL.
(2015).
Expression and localization of epithelial stem cell and differentiation markers in equine skin, eye and hoof.
Vet Dermatol, 26(4), 213-e47.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12214 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antigens, Differentiation / metabolism
- Cell Differentiation / physiology
- Cornea / cytology
- Cornea / metabolism
- Epithelium / metabolism
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Hoof and Claw / cytology
- Hoof and Claw / metabolism
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / metabolism
- Immunoblotting
- Keratins / metabolism
- Male
- Skin / cytology
- Skin / metabolism
- Stem Cells / metabolism
- Stem Cells / physiology
Grant Funding
- R01 AR066755 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- T35 RR007065 / NCRR NIH HHS
- R01AR066755 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- T35 RR07065 / NCRR NIH HHS
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