[The supramolecular organization of the keratinocyte cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix in human skin revealed by freezing-deep etching with rotary platinum-carbon shadow-casting].

The supramolecular organization of the keratinocyte cytoskeleton, the basal lamina and of the dermal extracellular matrix in the whole human skin revealed by freeze-deep etching with Pt/C rotary shadowing is presented. The routine equipment for this method and sample preparation are described. The resolution of the method is sufficient to visualize individual cytoskeleton elements and extracellular matrix. The presented cytoskeleton organization is very similar to the meshwork of strands or "microtrabeculae" seen in the cytoplasm of the whole cells by high voltage electron microscopy. Besides, the ultrathin section pattern of epidermis in human skin from patients with mycosis fungoides is described.