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Basement Membrane Zone (BMZ)

  • Figure 1.3 Dermo-epidermal junction zone (DEJ)
    Figure 1.3 Dermo-epidermal junction zone (DEJ)
    Selective barrier between the epidermis and dermis; allows for interaction between the two areas and provides anchoring of epidermis to dermis
  • Skin has two main BMZs: dermo-epidermal junction (major BMZ) (Figure 1.3) and dermal blood vessels
  • BMZ of DEJ contains four distinct zones on electron microscopy (EM): inferior portion of basal keratinocyte, lamina lucida, lamina densa, and sublamina densa.
   
 
Be able to identify BMZ components on electron microscopy (EM)
 
   




   
 
Table 1-3 Macromolecules in BMZ
Layer of BMZ
Structure
Associated Macromolecules
Basal keratinocyte/Plasma membrane
Hemidesmosome
BPAG1 (230 kDa), BPAG2 (180 kDa), α6β4 integrin, plectin
Lamina lucida
 
Anchoring filaments
 
Laminin, portion of BPAG2
Lamina densa
Anchoring plaque
Type IV collagen, laminins, heparan sulfate
Sublamina densa
 
Anchoring fibril
 
Type VII collagen, fibrillin, anchoring plaque (type IV collagen), type I and III collagen
      
 
   


 

 

 

 

 

 

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