Dermal-Epidermal Cross-Talk and Bioactive Mediators in Physiological and Pathological Skin Conditions

Dear Colleagues,

Keratinocytes and melanocytes in the epidermis and fibroblasts in the dermal compartment, as well as immune cells, sebocytes and endothelial cells, are strictly interconnected. This complex cooperation among the different cell populations guarantees proper skin homeostasis in physiological processes such as barrier function, pigmentation, and regeneration. Parallel to cell-cell interactions, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin and collagens exert an active role in several cutaneous physiological processes. The cross-talk among the skin components is under the tight control of intracellular signaling pathways triggered by a plethora of growth factors, cytokines, hormones, and bioactive lipids acting both in an autocrine and paracrine manner. The deregulation of these interactions contributes to the development of several pathological conditions such as inflammatory skin diseases, pigmentary disorders and melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Due to the relevance of these aspects, there is a need to deepen the mechanisms that regulate the dermal-epidermal cross-talk to identify the bioactive mediators involved in cutaneous biology as well as in the appearance and progression of skin diseases. Moreover, the exploration of the cross-talk among the different skin cell populations and the underlying network of bioactive molecules could represent a powerful tool in the development of therapeutic approaches more effective in the treatment of skin disorders. This Special Issue aims to collect advances in the field of dermal-epidermal cross-talk regulating cutaneous homeostasis. These studies will be useful to provide novel findings in the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological skin conditions. 

Dr. Daniela Kovacs
Dr. Emanuela Bastonini
Dr. Giorgia Cardinali
Guest Editors

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• dermal-epidermal cross-talk
• extracellular matrix
• bioactive lipids
• growth factors
• barrier function
• inflammation
• pigmentation
• skin cancer