111 Type XVII collagen modulates epidermal patterning

Many mammals show epidermal patterning, as seen in alternating mouse tail scales and the microtopography of human skin surface. However, mechanisms underlying development such patterning are poorly understood. Here, we that type XVII collagen (COL17), a niche for stem cells, is factor determining patterning. Col17-null mice exhibit slender scales, condition alleviated by COL17 overexpression. Aberrant cell polarity, feature epidermis, does not account slender-scale phenotype. Skin regeneration after wounding accompanied rescued The revertant mosaicism diseased junctional epidermolysis bullosa demonstrate COL17-positive negative harbor mutually distinct patterns. These results defines scale morphology microtopography. Our study sheds light on role tissue pattern formation.