Regeneration of the epidermis and mucosal epithelium on the basement membranes

Abstract

The processes of degeneration and regeneration of the lip epidermis and mucosal epithelium after cryo treatment were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Epidermal and mucosal epithelial cells degenerated due to the formation of ice crystals and detached from the basement membranes, leaving a small amount of cell debris. Regenerating cells migrated over the cell debris, which was gradually phagocitized, and formed new hemidesmosomes with the preexisting lamina densa. Regenerating epidermal cells migrated from the undamaged areas and the hair follicles. Regenerating mucosal epithelial cells originated from surviving cells in the basal half of the epithelium, at the periphery of the blister cavity. They migrated in a multilayered fashion. Desmosomes were preserved even between dead cells and between dead and living cells.