Integrins of normal human epidermis: differential expression, synthesis and molecular structure

summary The expression of integrin cell surface receptors in normal skin and their synthesis and molecular structure in keratinocyte cultures was investigated. The reactivity of four different polypeptides of the integrin family (α2-,α3-,α6- and β1-chains) was demonstrated in the basal cell layer of normal epidermis. Studies of labelled keratinocyte cell lines showed that the polypeptides were expressed as α2β1, α3β1 and α6β4 integrins. Only the α6β4 integrin showed polarization towards the basement membrane attachment site of basal layer keratinocytes, and was preferentially expressed at microvillous projections. In contrast, α2β1 and α3β1 integrins were equally expressed throughout the basal cell plasma membrane.