Regeneration of the Epidermis and Mucosal Epithelium on the Basement Membranes

The study from December 1, 2003, investigated the degeneration and regeneration of the epidermis and mucosal epithelium after cryo treatment, using transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that after treatment, the epithelial cells degenerated and detached from the basement membranes due to ice crystal formation, leaving behind cell debris. Regenerating cells then migrated over this debris, phagocytized it, and formed new hemidesmosomes with the preexisting lamina densa. The source of regenerating cells differed between tissues; epidermal cells originated from undamaged areas and hair follicles, while mucosal cells came from surviving cells in the basal half of the epithelium. Desmosomes remained intact even between dead and living cells, aiding in the structural integrity during regeneration. The study concluded that the basement membrane plays a crucial role in regeneration, with cells using it to form new hemidesmosomes, facilitated by its thickness and the presence of anchoring filaments and fibrils. The research highlighted the regeneration mechanisms of the epidermis and mucosal epithelium and was funded by the Ministry of Science, Education, Sports, and Culture of Japan.