The aim of the study was to investigate the apoptosis in normal human skin by examination of all epidermal layers.
Material and methods: The normal skin epidermis of 15 healthy subjects was investigated by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling) technique. Apoptotic cells were evaluated in the germinative and differential compartments and stratum corneum. Only highly TUNEL-positive cells with typical morphological DNA fragmentation signs were calculated.
Results: In vital strata (except stratum corneum) of normal skin epidermis, 37.5% of all TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the germinative compartment and 41.7% in the granular layer of differential compartment.
Conclusions: The study showed that apoptosis occurs in all layers of normal skin epidermis. It demonstrates that apoptosis is highly important in the renewal of cells and formation of epidermal structure within all compartments.