Detection and analysis of connexin in lesional skin from both mother and son with KID syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To determine the expression levels of connexin Cx31, Cx43 and Cx50 in the lesional skin of KID syndrome and their roles in the pathogenesis of KID syndrome. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of connexins Cx31, Cx43 and Cx50 in the lesional skin from both mother and son with KID syndrome. Skin samples from both an uninvolved subject of the patient’s family and normal control-unrelated to the patient’s family served as controls. Results: Expression levels of Cx31 increased in both the spinous and basal layers of the epidermis in patients, while in the controls, Cx31 only expressed in the basal layer. Expression levels and localization of Cx43 and Cx50 were comparable between the patients and the controls. Conclusion: The expression levels of Cx31 are up-regulated in patients with KID syndrome, while the expression levels of Cx43 and Cx50 are comparable between the patients and the controls.Whether these molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of KID syndrome remains to be explored.

Keywords

• kid syndrome
• cx31
• cx43
• cx50