Transient Expression of Keratin 19 Induced by Adhesion in Originally Negative Interfollicular Epidermal Cells

The study observed that originally keratin 19-negative interfollicular epidermal cells transiently expressed keratin 19 and nuclear galectin-1 binding sites when induced by cell adhesion. These small-sized cells resembled basal cells of the interfollicular epidermis or the bulge region of the hair follicle. The research also noted that a population of cells highly positive for beta1 integrin, similar in size to keratin-19-positive cells, was resistant to terminal differentiation due to lack of anchorage. The findings suggested that keratin 19 expression, induced by cell adhesion, was temporary and should not be solely considered a marker of stem cell activity.