Laminins and interaction partners in the architecture of the basement membrane at the dermal-epidermal junction

The basement membrane at the dermal-epidermal junction keeps the epidermis attached to the dermis. This anatomical barrier is made up of four categories of extracellular matrix proteins: collagen IV, laminin, nidogen and perlecan. These proteins are precisely arranged in a well-defined architecture through specific interactions between the structural domains of the individual components. Some of the molecular constituents are provided by both fibroblasts and keratinocytes, while others are synthesized exclusively by fibroblasts or keratinocytes. It remains to be determined how the components from the fibroblasts are targeted to the dermal-epidermal junction and correctly organized and integrated with the proteins from the adjacent keratinocytes to form the basement membrane.

Automated summary

The basement membrane at the dermal-epidermal junction is composed of four categories of extracellular matrix proteins, which are precisely arranged through specific interactions. Some proteins are provided by both fibroblasts and keratinocytes, while others are exclusively synthesized by one of the cell types. Further research is needed to determine how the components from fibroblasts are targeted to the junction and integrated with keratinocytes' proteins to form the basement membrane.