For decades, scientists have known about the complex microscopic structures on the surface of the skin. But how these complex “apical extracellular matrices” (aECMs) are assembled has remained a mystery. To our aid came the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny, transparent miracle studied for its simplicity and the fact that it contains a similar number of genes to humans.
Using the arsenal of modern microscopy, researchers from the University of California, San Diego looked at the cuticle, the worm’s exoskeleton. They discovered structures called “buttresses” that were previously blurred dots with striking detail. They act like small pillars, holding the different layers of skin together like a scaffold.
Interestingly, when these supports are damaged the layers swell and swell. This mirrors similar blister diseases in humans, highlighting their critical role in maintaining skin integrity.
But the story doesn’t end with the buttresses. The team also identified complex patterns formed by collagens, a large family of proteins that maintain the integrity of our bodies. Understanding these patterns is critical as it will likely determine how the entire AECM forms its complex architecture.
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Source: Ferra
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