In-situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labelled probes in human skin.

This study demonstrated that in-situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide poly-T probes and digoxigenin-labelled riboprobes for keratin 14 is possible on routinely fixed paraffin-embedded sections. The resolution and time course of the detection system compared favourably with isotopically labelled probes. Major differences were shown in keratinocyte messenger RNA content with differentiating cells expressing high levels when compared with the basal layers. Previous work on the distribution of keratin 14 messenger RNA was confirmed and we were able to show that using non-isotopic in-situ hybridization, sensitive and accurate cellular localization was feasible in skin sections.