Synthesis of Porcine pCLCA2 Protein During Late Differentiation of Keratinocytes of Epidermis and Hair Follicle Inner Root Sheath

The study characterized the porcine pCLCA2 protein, an ortholog of human hCLCA2 and murine mCLCA5, which were the only CLCA members expressed in the skin. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that pCLCA2 was highly restricted to the granular layer of the epidermis and the inner root sheath of hair follicles, co-localizing with filaggrin and trichohyalin. No differences in expression patterns were observed between wild-type pigs and CF transmembrane conductance regulator -/- pigs. The researchers speculated that pCLCA2 might play a role in the structural integrity of the skin or in specialized epidermal functions, such as barrier or defense mechanisms.