FIGURE 4.

Effects of knockdown of caspase-14 and mesotrypsin on skin equivalent models. A, immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of caspase-14 and mesotrypsin. After treatment of keratinocytes with nonspecific control siRNA, caspase-14 siRNA, mesotrypsin siRNA, or the combination of both, keratinocytes were seeded on dermal components and skin equivalent models were constructed. Thin sections were stained with caspase-14 mAb and anti-mesotrypsin Ab. HE, hematoxylin and eosin stain. B, down-regulation of saposin A in the skin equivalent models after knockdown of caspase-14 and mesotrypsin. Sections from skin equivalent models treated with appropriate siRNAs were stained with anti-Prosap Ab and anti-SapA Ab. Merged figures of antibody staining images with nuclear staining images are also shown. Scale bars, 50 μm.