Open AccessNovel approaches to characterize age‐related remodelling of the dermal‐epidermal junction in 2D, 3D and in vivo
Author(s) -
Newton V. L.,
Bradley R. S.,
Seroul P.,
Cherel M.,
Griffiths C. E. M.,
Rawlings A. V.,
Voegeli R.,
Watson R. E. B.,
Sherratt M. J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12312
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , dermal papillae , dermis , histology , anatomy , dermoepidermal junction , in vivo , confocal , pathology , confocal laser scanning microscopy , medicine , biomedical engineering , biology , mathematics , geometry , hair follicle , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology
Background/purpose The dermal‐epidermal junction ( DEJ ) forms epidermal protrusions down into the dermis (rete ridges) and dermal projections up into the epidermis (dermal papillae). Usually visualized in two‐dimensions (2D), our knowledge of how the DEJ changes with ageing is limited. We aimed to characterize how this structure exists in 3D and changes with age. Methods Photoprotected and photoexposed skin were imaged using reflectance confocal microscopy ( RCM ) in young and aged individuals. Biopsies of the imaged areas were processed for histological sectioning and for imaging using micro‐computed X‐ray tomography (micro CT ). Results Images obtained from RCM and micro CT were used to 3D reconstruct the DEJ . DEJ heights obtained from micro CT images showed strong correlation with histology‐measured heights. We proposed a novel definition of rete ridges ( RR m ) and dermal papillae ( DP m ), which allowed easier automated measurement of reduced DP m and RR m volumes in aged skin from micro CT reconstructions. An algorithm to map DP m connectivity showed reduced lengths of DP m branches with age. Conclusion Three‐dimensional images illustrated the complex topography of the DEJ and highlighted the distinct morphology of dermal papillae compared with rete ridges, which is not evident when evaluating 2D sections. Ex vivo imaging was more successful in differentiating DEJ architecture with respect to age.