Primary cilium expression in cells from normal and pathological caprine skin

Primary cilia were detected in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, from the skin of two healthy and five Saanen goats suffering from a severe papillomatosis of the udder, respectively. Single cilia were detected in very few normal and neoplastic keratinocytes; rare biciliated keratinocytes were also seen. A remarkable number of dermal fibroblasts from healthy goats showed single cilia. Similarly, primary cilia were found in fibroblasts from the tumour stroma in all five goats. These data seem to strengthen the statement that ciliation is a peculiar ultrastructural aspect of fibroblasts, which is of interest in the light of the emerging role of fibroblasts in many physiopathological processes.