Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Kovacs, B.
Immunohistological analysis of members of the TGF beta superfamily in inflammatory skin diseases
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2015. pp. 75
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Strobl Herbert
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- Abstract:
- Langerhans cells (LCs), a distinct subpopulation of dendritic cells in the epidermis operate as gatekeepers of the skin. Intruding antigens are ingested, degraded and presented in the draining lymph nodes, thereby activating an adaptive immune response. The differentiation of LCs is regulated by certain members of the transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) superfamily. This heterogeneous group of structurally similar proteins signal through receptor mediated phosphorylation of R-SMADs. The end product, a trimeric pSMAD, is translocated into the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor. We performed immunohistological analysis of healthy and inflamed human skin from Psoriasis vulgaris or Discoid lupus erythematosus lesions to characterize selected members of the TGF-ß superfamily and their antagonists. Surprisingly, our findings have shown a general upregulation of TGF-ß family members with some peculiar mannerisms concerning LCs in inflammatory skin diseases. TGF-ß1, BMP4, BMP7, BMP9 and the antagonist NOGGIN were increased in pathological samples. One striking result was the explicit separation between proBMP7 and active BMP7 at the limits of the basal layer in the healthy epidermis. The second messengers, R-SMADs were not influenced by the dysregulation of the TGF ß superfamily. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of the TGF ß superfamily in epidermal Langerhans cells in health and inflammation. New paths could be depicted with more specific and precisely targeted treatments for affected patients.