Abstract: Li Hui, Feng Suying, Lin Lin, Zhou Wuqing, Xu Haoxiang, Li Zhiliang, Jin Peiying. Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, China Corresponding authors: Feng Suying, Email: fengsuying@medmail.com.cn; Lin Lin, Email: dllon3@163.com 【Abstract】 Objective To detect the mRNA and protein expressions of desmoglein 1 （DSG1） and DSG3 in different types of keratinocytes（KCs）. Methods Two keratinocyte cell lines HaCaT and A431, as well as primary keratinocytes from human abdomenal skin served as the object of this study. Direct immunofluorescence assay was performed to observe and quantify the expressions of DSG1 and DSG3, and quantitative PCR（qPCR） to determine the mRNA expressions of DSG1 and DSG3, in these cells. Results Both DSG1 and DSG3 were expressed in all the three types of keratinocytes, and the fluorescence intensity of DSG1 and DSG3 in HaCaT cells was higher than that in primary keratinocytes but lower than that in A431 cells. Similarly, all the keratinocytes expressed DSG1 and DSG3 mRNA, with the relative expression levels of DSG1 and DSG3 mRNA in primary keratinocytes being 291.7% and 237.4% of those in HaCaT cells respectively （both P < 0.01）, and those in A431 cells being 0.1% and 18.8% of those in HaCaT cells respectively （both P < 0.05）. Conclusions HaCaT cells, A431 cells and primary keratinocytes all can be used for the study of DSG1 and DSG3, of which, A431 cells show the strongest expressions of DSG1 and DSG3, and primary keratinocytes display the highest expressions of DSG1 and DSG3 mRNAs.

Key words: Keratinocytes, Desmoglein 1, Desmoglein 3