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Review
. 2012 Oct;23(8):890-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2012.08.008. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Polarity and stratification of the epidermis

Andrew Muroyama  1 , Terry Lechler
Affiliations
Review

Polarity and stratification of the epidermis

Andrew Muroyama et al. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2012 Oct.

Abstract

Polarity is a fundamental property of epithelial cells. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge of the polarity of a stratified epithelium, the epidermis, focusing on similarities and differences with simple epithelial models. We highlight how the differences in tissue architecture and physiology result in alterations in some aspects of cell polarity. In addition, we discuss one of the most prominent uses for cell polarity in the epidermis-orienting the mitotic spindle to drive the stratification and differentiation of this tissue during development.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of cell polarity in simple epithelial and basal keratinocytes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Model for spindle orientation in symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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