Abstract
KERATINIZATION, by the holocrine transformation of epithelial cells, occurs normally in the mammalian epidermis, œsophagus, œstrous vagina, and thymic corpuscles. It accompanies abnormal epithelial transformations after œstrogen administration (in genital organs), in vitamin A deficiency, consequent to trauma (including radiation), and in certain cancers. The etiology of keratinization, which represents differentiation by organized cell deaths, remains unknown; however, the suggestion that a local lack or inactivation of vitamin A is responsible is a possibility1,2.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McCullough, K., and Dalldorf, G., Arch. Path., 24, 486 (1937).
Kahn, R. H., and Bern, H. A., Science, 111, 516 (1950).
Medawar, P. B., Quart. J. Micr. Sci., 94, 481 (1953).
von Albertini, A., J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 13, 1473 (1953).
Sabella, J. D., Bern, H. A., and Kahn, R. H., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med., 76, 499 (1951).
Bern, H. A., Elias, J., Pickett, P. B., Powers, T. R., and Nishi, M. (unpublished data).
Leuchtenberger, C., and Lund, H. Z., Exp. Cell Res., 2, 150 (1951).
Montagna, W., Int. Rev. Cytol., 1, 265 (1952).
Mescon, H., and Flesch, P., J. Invest. Derm., 18, 261 (1952).
Eisen, A. Z., Montagna, W., and Chase, H. B., J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 14, 341 (1953).
Barrnett, R. J., and Seligman, A. M., J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 14 769 (1954).
Leblond, C. P., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 53, 461 (1951).
Goetsch, E., Amer. J. Anat., 10, 1 (1910).
Biggers, J. D., J. Anat., 87, 327 (1953).
Bern, H. A., Harkness, D. R., and Blair, S. M. (unpublished data); also J. Clin. Endo., 14, 797 (1954).
Giroud, A., and Bulliard, H., Arch. d'anat. Micr., 31, 271 (1935).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BERN, H. Histology and Chemistry of Keratin Formation. Nature 174, 509–511 (1954). https://doi.org/10.1038/174509b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/174509b0
This article is cited by
-
Electron-microscopic characteristics of the dynamics of thymidine-H3 and uridine-H3 in the mouse epidermis
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (1974)
-
Increased Incidence of Carcinoma induced by DMBA in the Hamster Cheek Pouch in response to Vitamin A
Nature (1967)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.