Immunohistochemical Expression of the Alpha- and Gamma-Catenin in Fetal Skin Development

The study investigated the distribution of α- and γ-catenins in fetal skin development using samples from 21 human fetuses aged 13 to 37 weeks. It found that both catenins were strongly expressed in basal cells of the epidermis and germ cells of skin adnexa at 13 weeks, with expression patterns evolving to an adult-like pattern by 23 weeks. The catenins were present in both epithelial and mesenchymal cells, with stronger membrane expression. The findings suggested that α- and γ-catenins have similar distribution patterns and are functionally related in the development of the epidermis and skin adnexa during the fetal stage.