Patterns of Desmocollin Synthesis in Human Epithelia: Immunolocalization of Desmocollins 1 and 3 in Special Epithelia and Cultured Cells

The study utilized murine monoclonal antibodies to investigate the synthesis and localization of desmocollins Dsc1 and Dsc3 in human epithelia and cultured cells. Dsc1 was found in the suprabasal layers of the interfollicular epidermis and specific hair follicle layers, while Dsc3 was present in all living epidermal layers, glandular ducts, and various stratified epithelia, including the vagina, tongue, and esophagus. Dsc3 was also identified in the basal layer of bladder urothelium and tracheal epithelium. Simple epithelia and non-epithelial desmosomes were negative for both desmocollins. In the thymus, Dsc3 was found in thymic reticular epithelium, while Dsc1 was present in Hassall bodies. In cell cultures, Dsc3 was prevalent in desmosomes of cell lines from stratified squamous epithelia, whereas Dsc1 was associated with suprabasal differentiation. The study highlighted the potential of these antibodies in histology and pathology.