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Open Access 01-01-2010 | Original Paper

Comparison between human fetal and adult skin

Authors: Neeltje A. Coolen, Kelly C. W. M. Schouten, Esther Middelkoop, Magda M. W. Ulrich

Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Healing of early-gestation fetal wounds results in scarless healing. Since the capacity for regeneration is probably inherent to the fetal skin itself, knowledge of the fetal skin composition may contribute to the understanding of fetal wound healing. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression profiles of different epidermal and dermal components in the human fetal and adult skin. In the human fetal skin (ranging from 13 to 22 weeks’ gestation) and adult skin biopsies, the expression patterns of several epidermal proteins (K10, K14, K16, K17, SKALP, involucrin), basement membrane proteins, Ki-67, blood vessels and extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin, chondroitin sulfate, elastin) were determined using immunohistochemistry. The expression profiles of K17, involucrin, dermal Ki-67, fibronectin and chondroitin sulfate were higher in the fetal skin than in adult skin. In the fetal skin, elastin was not present in the dermis, but it was found in the adult skin. The expression patterns of basement membrane proteins, blood vessels, K10, K14, K16 and epidermal Ki-67 were similar in human fetal skin and adult skin. In this systematic overview, most of the differences between fetal and adult skin were found at the level of dermal extracellular matrix molecules expression. This study suggests that, especially, dermal components are important in fetal scarless healing.

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Title: Comparison between human fetal and adult skin
Authors: Neeltje A. Coolen
Kelly C. W. M. Schouten
Esther Middelkoop
Magda M. W. Ulrich
Publication date: 01-01-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0340-3696
Electronic ISSN: 1432-069X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-009-0989-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comparison between human fetal and adult skin

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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