Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Langton, A.K.
• Sherratt, M.J.
• Sellers, W.I.
• Griffiths, C.E.M.
• Watson, R.E.B.

Titel

Geographical ancestry is a key determinant of epidermal morphology and dermal composition

Ist Teil von

• British journal of dermatology (1951), 2014-08, Vol.171 (2), p.274-282

Ort / Verlag

Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2014

Quelle

Wiley Online Library Journals Frontfile Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Summary Background Geographical ancestry plays a key role in determining the susceptibility of human skin to external insults and dermatological disease. Despite this, studies of skin from individuals of diverse geographical ancestry focus primarily on epidermal pigmentation. Few reports characterize the gross morphology and composition of the dermis and dermal‐epidermal junction (DEJ). Objectives To characterize epidermal morphology and dermal composition in skin from individuals of diverse geographical ancestry. Methods Immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess epidermal morphology and protein composition of the DEJ and dermal extracellular matrix in photoprotected skin from young African, Eurasian and Far East Asian individuals (n = 7 per group; age 18–30 years). Results The epidermis of African skin was thicker, with deeper rete ridges and a more convoluted DEJ than Eurasian and Far East Asian skin. Compared with Eurasians, protein composition of the DEJ was collagen VII poor in African and Far East Asian skin (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01, respectively); the dermis of African skin was enriched in fibrillar collagens (P < 0·05), but was relatively elastin poor (P < 0·05). African dermis was abundant in fibrillin‐rich microfibrils and fibulin‐5 (P < 0·001 and P < 0·001, respectively) compared with Eurasian and Far East Asian skin. Conclusions We demonstrate that fundamental differences exist in skin structure and composition in individuals of diverse geographical ancestry. Disparate environmental pressures encountered by ancestral human populations living at different latitudes may have driven adaptations in skin structure and composition. Further research into the functional significance and clinical consequences of these differences is warranted. What's already known about this topic? While the role of epidermal pigmentation in characterizing human skin of differing geographical origins is well characterized, potential differences in dermal composition and epidermal structure are less well defined. What does this study add? This unique study compares dermal extracellular matrix composition and epidermal morphology of skin from three groups with diverse geographical ancestry. This study identifies previously unappreciated differences in the abundance and architecture of dermal fibrillar collagens, collagen VII anchoring fibrils and the elastic fibre network. It highlights potential functional and clinical differences in skin of diverse geographical origins, which may have arisen as a consequence of adaptations to ancestral environments.