Abstract
This report provides evidence from a number of different approaches (i.e., comparison of cell shape in 1-μm sections of photodamaged versus healthy skin at the light microscopic level; comparison of cell shape and apposition to collagen fibrils in ultrathin sections of the same tissues examined by transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence staining for adhesion site protein expression and actin filament architecture in frozen tissue sections) that dermal cells in healthy skin are attached to collagen fibrils over a large part of the cell border, have a flattened/spread (two-dimensional) appearance and have abundant actin in their cytoplasm. In contrast, cells in photodamaged skin are often in contact with fragmented collagen or amorphous debris rather than intact collagen, have a collapsed/elongated shape, and have a lower amount of actin. Collagen synthesis is reduced in severely photodamaged skin relative to collagen synthesis in corresponding sun-protected skin (N Engl J Wed 329:530, 1993). We hypothesize that fibroblasts in severely damaged skin have less interaction with intact collagen and as a result experience a reduction in mechanical tension. Decreased collagen synthesis is (presumed to be) the result.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1471-1479 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Investigative Dermatology |
Volume | 122 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Actin filament
- Collagen fibrils
- Fibroblasts
- Focal adhesion kinase
- Mechanical tension
- Photodamaqe
- Skin
- Vinculin
- β1 integrin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology