A K Langton1, M J Sherratt, W I Sellers, C E M Griffiths, R E B Watson. 1. Centre for Dermatology, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K; The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, U.K.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Rainer Voegeli; Rotraut Schoop; Elodie Prestat-Marquis; Anthony V Rawlings; Todd K Shackelford; Bernhard Fink Journal: Int J Cosmet Sci Date: 2021-08-08 Impact factor: 2.416
Authors: Abigail K Langton; Mark Hann; Patrick Costello; Poonam Halai; Sabrina Sisto Alessi César; Anna Lien-Lun Chien; Sewon Kang; Christopher E M Griffiths; Michael J Sherratt; Rachel E B Watson Journal: J Anat Date: 2020-05-25 Impact factor: 2.921
Authors: Nisamanee Charoenchon; Lesley E Rhodes; Suzanne M Pilkington; Mark D Farrar; Rachel E B Watson Journal: Photochem Photobiol Sci Date: 2018-07-11 Impact factor: 3.982