Nuclear differentiation and ultimate fate during epidermal keratinization. Two-wavelength and cytofluorometric DNA investigations completed by computerized scanning image analysis.

Quantitative DNA cytophotometric investigations were performed to clarify some aspects of the differentiation and fate of nuclei in bovine snout and human epidermis representing various sites and different degrees of keratinization. We elaborated optimal conditions for hydrolysis and Feulgen staining. Diverse cytophotometric techniques, including computerized scanning cytophotometry and image analysis were applied. This approach provided the first quantitative data concerning changes of nucleotype during soft keratinization. Cytophotometric DNA measurements provide evidence for a continuous decline of nuclear DNA content from immediately beyond the basal layer to the transition zone. The overall loss of DNA is an orderly process that intensifies gradually and culminates in the stratum granulosum. Gradual nuclear degeneration, however, is not a general phenomenon, and a significant number of nuclei retains a DNA content within the diploid limits throughout the entire stratum spinosum and part of the stratum granulosum. At any level of differentiation or decay, residual nucleoprotein complexes remain intact, as judged from their resistance to acid hydrolysis. Karyological features change completely during keratinization. Basal cell nuclei are rather compact, ellipsoid and heterochromatic. Beyond the basal layer, nuclei enlarge, round up and obviously evolve to an extremely euchromatic state, with preferential localization of the dispersed heterochromatic clumps at the more peripheral sites. In the upper stratum spinosum, nuclei undergo even more drastic changes: nuclear area and volume shrink, nuclei partially regain the ellipsoid shape and revert to heterochromasia. Nevertheless, euchromatin remains the major constituent of decaying nuclei. Terminal differentiation stages, except in human sole, are marked by heterochromatin clumping. In human sole, persistence or even progression of heterochromatin dispersion is observed. Heterochromatic dots are situated along the nuclear membrane in human terminal keratinocytes, but are almost randomly distributed in bovine stratum granulosum nuclei. Finally, nuclear contrast analysis partially reveals statistically significant changes throughout keratinization.