Cytokeratins as Markers of Follicular Differentiation

December 2001 in “ American Journal of Dermatopathology ”

Hjalmar Kurzen, Lorenz Esposito, Lutz Langbein, Wolfgang Hartschuh

TLDR TB and BCC tumors show similar follicular differentiation patterns.

The study investigated the expression of cytokeratins in trichoblastoma (TB) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) to understand their differentiation towards hair follicle structures. Both TB and BCC consistently expressed CK6hf, CK14, and CK17, indicating differentiation towards the outer root sheath epithelium or companion layer. CK15 and CK19 showed variable expression, with 38% of TB and none of the BCC expressing CK15, while 70% of TB and 22% of BCC expressed CK19. CK8 was found in Merkel cells in all TB but not in BCC. No hair keratins were expressed in either tumor type, suggesting a lack of differentiation towards the inner root sheath, matrix, or cortex.

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research The Catalog of Human Hair Keratins

272 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry”

Human hair keratins were cataloged, showing their roles in hair differentiation stages.

research Immunolocalization of 5α-Reductase Isozymes in Acne Lesions and Normal Skin

45 citations , September 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

The study found that the enzyme linked to acne is present in the same areas of both acne-affected and normal skin.

research The Catalog of Human Hair Keratins

235 citations , July 1999 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

Human hair is made up of different keratins, some strong and some weak, with specific types appearing at various stages of hair growth.

research Basal Cell Carcinoma Possibly Originates From the Outer Root Sheath and/or the Bulge Region of the Vellus Hair Follicle

107 citations , May 1999 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Basal cell carcinoma may start from parts of tiny hair follicles.

research Keratin 15 Expression in Stratified Epithelia: Downregulation in Activated Keratinocytes

198 citations , March 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Cytokeratin 15 Expression in Trichoepitheliomas and a Subset of Basal Cell Carcinomas Suggests They Originate from Hair Follicle Stem Cells

133 citations , March 1999 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

Trichoepitheliomas and some basal cell carcinomas likely come from hair follicle stem cells.

research Cytokeratin Expression in Trichoblastic Fibroma, Trichoepithelioma, and Basal Cell Carcinoma

87 citations , January 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Trichoblastic fibroma and basal cell carcinoma are similar but different from trichoepithelioma.

research A Novel Human Type II Cytokeratin, K6hf, Specifically Expressed in the Companion Layer of the Hair Follicle

139 citations , December 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

K6hf is a unique protein found only in a specific layer of hair follicles.

research Characterization of LHTric-1, a new monospecific monoclonal antibody to the trichocyte keratin Ha1

19 citations , July 1997 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

LHTric-1 is a specific antibody useful for studying hair and nail formation.

research Immunohistochemical Demonstration of Keratin 19 Expression in Isolated Human Hair Follicles

43 citations , August 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Solid basal cell epithelioma (BCE) possibly originates from the outer root sheath of the hair follicle.

61 citations , August 1993 in “PubMed”

Basal cell epithelioma likely starts from the hair follicle's outer root sheath.

research Expression of keratin K14 in the epidermis and hair follicle: insights into complex programs of differentiation.

198 citations , November 1989 in “The Journal of Cell Biology”

Keratin K14 expression varies between hair follicles and epidermis, affecting cell differentiation.

research Patterns of expression of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in mammalian tissues II. Concomitant and mutually exclusive synthesis of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in diverse human and bovine tissues (hair follicle, nail bed and matrix, lingual papilla, thymic reticulum)

187 citations , May 1988 in “Differentiation”

research Patterns of expression of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in mammalian tissues. I. Human and bovine hair follicles

248 citations , April 1988 in “Differentiation”

Human and bovine hair follicles have distinct cytokeratins specific to hair-forming cells.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research TRPV3 Gain-of-Function Mutation Impairs Differentiation of Hair Follicle Inner Root Sheath

April 2019 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

A specific mutation in the TRPV3 gene causes hair follicle cells to develop improperly, leading to hair loss.

research Functional Analysis of Keratin Components in the Mouse Hair Follicle Inner Root Sheath

23 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Keratin in mouse hair follicles is complex and plays specific roles.

research Expression of E6 and E7 Papillomavirus Oncogenes in the Outer Root Sheath of Hair Follicles Extends the Growth Phase and Bypasses Resting at Telogen

10 citations , October 2000 in “PubMed”

E6/E7 oncogenes in hair follicles cause continuous hair growth by skipping the resting phase.

research Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Morphology and Patterns of DNA Synthesis in Isolated Human Hair Follicles

94 citations , February 1994 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

EGF makes hair follicles grow longer but stops hair production.

research Keratins of the human hair follicle: “Hyperproliferative” keratins consistently expressed in outer root sheath cells in vivo and in vitro

135 citations , November 1987 in “Differentiation”

Outer root sheath cells consistently express certain keratins influenced by their environment.

research Outer root sheath keratinization in anagen and catagen of the mammalian hair follicle. A seventh distinct type of keratinization in the hair follicle: trichilemmal keratinization.

59 citations , August 1981 in “PubMed”

Trichilemmal keratinization is a unique process in hair follicles where the outer root sheath turns into keratin without a specific layer.