Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Ilk Modulates Stress-Induced Apoptosis In Epidermal Keratinocytes, Michelle Im

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a ubiquitous scaffold protein that mediates cellular responses to integrin stimulation by extracellular matrix proteins. Mice with inactivation of the Ilk gene in squamous epithelia display defects in skin regeneration after injury, failure to thrive, and perinatal death. ILK-deficient epidermis exhibits reduced adhesion to the basement membrane and impaired hair follicle morphogenesis. In culture, ILK-deficient keratinocytes fail to attach and spread efficiently, and demonstrate decreased survival. We now show that ILK-deficient keratinocytes exhibit lower proliferative capacity and increased apoptosis in the absence or presence of growth factors. This reduced viability appears to be independent of the …