CHARACTERISTICS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-Ⅰ RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN FETAL AND ADULT SKINS / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Localization and expression of two subunits (IGF ⅠR? and IGF ⅠR?) of insulin like growth factor Ⅰ receptor and phosphorylated tyrosine proteins (P Tyr) in skins at different developmental stages were studied in order to explore their potential biological significance. Immunohistochemistry and pathological methods were used to detect the expression intensity and distribution of IGF ⅠR?, IGF ⅠR? and P Tyr in skins of 12 fetuses with different gestational ages and 8 adults. The results showed that positive immunohistochemical signals of IGF ⅠR?, IGF ⅠR? and P Tyr could be found in fetal and adult skins. Along with growth and development of the fetus, the positive cell rates of IGF ⅠR?, IGF ⅠR? and P Tyr in skins elevated progressively. In adult skins, IGF ⅠR was mainly located in the cell membrane of epidermal cells, while P Tyr was chiefly distributed in epidermal cells and some fibroblasts. These results suggested that IGF ⅠR and its mediating signaling pathway might be involved in cutaneous development at embryonic stage, in cutaneous structure and function maintenance, and in wound healing at postnatal stage.