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Significance of N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐mediated signaling in human keratinocytes
Author(s) -
Nahm Walter K.,
Philpot Benjamin D.,
Adams Michelle M.,
Badiavas Evangelos V.,
Zhou Linda H.,
Butmarc Janet,
Bear Mark F.,
Falanga Vincent
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.20010
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , keratinocyte , glutamate receptor , biology , cell growth , cell , signal transduction , chemistry , neuroscience , biochemistry , in vitro
Increasing data suggest that glutamate might act as a cell‐signaling molecule in non‐neuronal tissues such as the skin. Here we demonstrate the presence of functional N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type glutamate receptors in human keratinocytes. NMDA receptor expression strongly reflects the degree of cell‐to‐cell contact. Wounding polarizes the expression of NMDA receptors in keratinocytes involved in re‐epithelialization, and the process of re‐epithelialization is inhibited by NMDA receptor activation. We also demonstrate that squamous cell carcinomas lack NMDA receptors. Our data suggest that Ca 2+ entry through NMDA receptors influences the cycle of keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and migration during epithelialization. Moreover, NMDA receptor activation might play a role in contact‐mediated inhibition of growth, a process that is absent during neoplastic pathology. This receptor may serve as a pharmacological target for modulating keratinocyte behavior and treating cutaneous disorders. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.