Heterogeneity in epidermal basal keratinocytes: morphological and functional correlations.

Two structurally distinct populations of basal keratinocytes, nonserrated and serrated, were observed in cynomolgus monkey and human palm epidermis. Anatomical location, fine structural features, and kinetic properties suggest that nonserrated cells represent a stem cell population and that serrated cells help anchor the epidermis to the dermis.