Cooperation of Nectin-1 and Nectin-3 Is Required for Maintenance of Epidermal Stratification and Proper Hair Shaft Formation in the Mouse

Figure 6

Embryonic development of the skin is not affected in the nectin mutants. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis of dorsal skin of control ((a)–(d) and (i)–(k)) and nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− mice ((e)–(h) and (l)–(n)) at E17. The nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− epidermis and developing hair follicle appear histologically comparable to the controls ((a) and (e)). In nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− epidermis, K14 expression is restricted to one row of basal epithelial cells facing the basement membrane, while in the control K14 is expressed intensely in 2-3 cell layers ((b) and (f)). The expression of filaggrin is slightly reduced in the nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− epidermis compared with control ((c) and (g)). The expressions of E-cadherin and DSG in nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− epidermis and hair follicle are comparable to the control ((d), (h), (i), and (l)). Ki67 and p63 expressions in basal layer cells of the nectin-1−/−; nectin-3+/− epidermis are similar to the control ((j), (k), (m), and (n)). Dashed lines: basement membrane. Scale bars: 100 μm in (a) and (e) and 20 μm in (b)–(d) and (f)–(n).