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Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases
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Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 45585

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Naoko Kanda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dermatology, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
Interests: psoriasis; atopic dermatitis; cutaneous immunology; cytokines; chemokines; keratinocytes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the pathomechanisms of various skin diseases have been progressively elucidated. The therapeutic targets of certain skin diseases, whether inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic, have been rapidly identified and thus novel target-oriented therapies have been progressively developed. These include a variety of biologics used for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, connective tissue diseases, or immune checkpoint inhibitors for melanoma.

In this Special Issue of IJMS, we will publish cutting-edge information regarding recent advances in the research of skin diseases from molecular viewpoints. We warmly welcome research and review articles concerning a variety of factors relating to skin diseases, including their genetic/epigenetic regulation, therapy, and prevention. In this Special Issue, we aim to present the molecular advances in all fields of skin diseases, whether inflammatory, neoplastic, or infectious.

Prof. Dr. Naoko Kanda
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • infection
  • inflammation
  • molecular
  • neoplasm
  • pathogenesis
  • skin diseases

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 188 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial: Special Issue, “Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases”
by Naoko Kanda
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012396 - 17 Oct 2022
Viewed by 998
Abstract
The pathomechanisms of various skin diseases have recently been elucidated progressively [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

13 pages, 2024 KiB  
Article
Transcription Factors Runx1 and Runx3 Suppress Keratin Expression in Undifferentiated Keratinocytes
by Eisaku Ogawa, Tomohiro Edamitsu, Hidetaka Ohmori, Kazuyoshi Kohu, Mineo Kurokawa, Hiroshi Kiyonari, Masanobu Satake and Ryuhei Okuyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 10039; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231710039 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1629
Abstract
The Runt-related transcription factor (Runx) family has been suggested to play roles in stem cell regulation, tissue development, and oncogenesis in various tissues/organs. In this study, we investigated the possible functions of Runx1 and Runx3 in keratinocyte differentiation. Both Runx1 and Runx3 proteins [...] Read more.
The Runt-related transcription factor (Runx) family has been suggested to play roles in stem cell regulation, tissue development, and oncogenesis in various tissues/organs. In this study, we investigated the possible functions of Runx1 and Runx3 in keratinocyte differentiation. Both Runx1 and Runx3 proteins were detected in primary cultures of mouse keratinocytes. Proteins were localized in the nuclei of undifferentiated keratinocytes but translocated to the cytoplasm of differentiated cells. The siRNA-mediated inhibition of Runx1 and Runx3 expression increased expression of keratin 1 and keratin 10, which are early differentiation markers of keratinocytes. In contrast, overexpression of Runx1 and Runx3 suppressed keratin 1 and keratin 10 expression. Endogenous Runx1 and Runx3 proteins were associated with the promoter sequences of keratin 1 and keratin 10 genes in undifferentiated but not differentiated keratinocytes. In mouse skin, the inhibition of Runx1 and Runx3 expression by keratinocyte-specific gene targeting increased the ratios of keratin 1- and keratin 10-positive cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. On the other hand, inhibition of Runx1 and Runx3 expression did not alter the proliferation capacity of cultured or epidermal keratinocytes. These results suggest that Runx1 and Runx3 likely function to directly inhibit differentiation-induced expression of keratin 1 and keratin 10 genes but are not involved in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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12 pages, 5921 KiB  
Communication
Primary TSC2-/meth Cells Induce Follicular Neogenesis in an Innovative TSC Mouse Model
by Clara Bernardelli, Eloisa Chiaramonte, Silvia Ancona, Silvia M. Sirchia, Amilcare Cerri and Elena Lesma
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179713 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1167
Abstract
Cutaneous lesions are one of the hallmarks of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disease in which mTOR is hyperactivated due to the lack of hamartin or tuberin. To date, novel pharmacological treatments for TSC cutaneous lesions that are benign but still have [...] Read more.
Cutaneous lesions are one of the hallmarks of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disease in which mTOR is hyperactivated due to the lack of hamartin or tuberin. To date, novel pharmacological treatments for TSC cutaneous lesions that are benign but still have an impact on a patient’s life are needed, because neither surgery nor rapamycin administration prevents their recurrence. Here, we demonstrated that primary TSC2-/meth cells that do not express tuberin for an epigenetic event caused cutaneous lesions and follicular neogenesis when they were subcutaneously injected in nude mice. Tuberin-null cells localized in the hair bulbs and alongside mature hairs, where high phosphorylation of S6 and Erk indicated mTOR hyperactivation. Interestingly, 5-azacytidine treatment reduced hair follicles, indicating that chromatin remodeling agents might be effective on TSC lesions in which cells lack tuberin for an epigenetic event. Moreover, we demonstrated that the primary TSC2-/meth cells had metastatic capability: when subcutaneously injected, they reached the bloodstream and lymphatics and invaded the lungs, causing the enlargement of the alveolar walls. The capability of TSC2-/meth cells to survive and migrate in vivo makes our mouse model ideal to follow the progression of the disease and test potential pharmacological treatments in a time-dependent manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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12 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Expression of Smooth Muscle Cell–Related Genes in Human Dermal Sheath Cup Cells Associated with the Treatment Outcome of Autologous Cell–Based Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss
by Yuzo Yoshida, Miki Takahashi, Haruyo Yamanishi, Yosuke Nakazawa, Jiro Kishimoto and Manabu Ohyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7125; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137125 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2230
Abstract
In a clinical study of autologous cell–based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells, the treatment of hair loss showed improvements. However, the outcomes were variable. Here, correlations between marker gene expression in DSC cells and treatment outcomes were assessed to predict therapeutic [...] Read more.
In a clinical study of autologous cell–based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells, the treatment of hair loss showed improvements. However, the outcomes were variable. Here, correlations between marker gene expression in DSC cells and treatment outcomes were assessed to predict therapeutic efficacy. Overall, 32 DSC cell lines were used to evaluate correlations between marker gene expression and treatment outcomes. Correlations between vascular pericyte and preadipocyte marker expression and treatment outcomes were inconsistent. As smooth muscle cell markers, MYOCD correlated negatively with treatment outcomes and SRF consistently demonstrated an inverse correlation. Additionally, CALD1 correlated negatively and ACTA2 correlated inversely with treatment outcomes. DSC cell lines were divided into good and moderate/poor responders to further investigate the correlations. SRF and CALD1 were lower in a good responder compared with a moderate responder. Next, DSC cells were differentiated toward dermal papilla cells. Dermal papilla markers SOX2 and LEF1 before differentiation had moderate positive and inverse correlations with the treatment outcome, respectively. SOX2 after differentiation more consistently demonstrated a positive correlation. Significant downregulation of smooth muscle–related genes was also observed after differentiation. These findings revealed putative markers for preclinical evaluation of DSC cells to improve hair loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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14 pages, 3484 KiB  
Article
Chlorogenic Acid Prevents UVA-Induced Skin Photoaging through Regulating Collagen Metabolism and Apoptosis in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
by Nina Xue, Ying Liu, Jing Jin, Ming Ji and Xiaoguang Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 6941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23136941 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3786
Abstract
Skin aging is categorized as chronological aging and photo-aging that affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-aging ability and its underlying mechanism of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In this study, CGA specifically [...] Read more.
Skin aging is categorized as chronological aging and photo-aging that affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-aging ability and its underlying mechanism of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In this study, CGA specifically up-regulated collagen I (Col1) mRNA and protein expressions and increased the collagen secretion in the supernatant of HDFs without affecting the cell viability, the latter was also demonstrated in BioMAP HDF3CGF system. Under ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced photoaging, CGA regulated collagen metabolism by increasing Col1 expression and decreasing matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and MMP3 levels in UVA-irradiated HDFs. The activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-mediated Smad2/3 molecules, which is crucial in Col1 synthesis, was suppressed by UVA irradiation and but enhanced at the presence of CGA. In addition, CGA reduced the accumulation of UVA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), attenuated the DNA damage and promoted cell repair, resulting in reducing the apoptosis of UVA-irradiated HDFs. In conclusion, our study, for the first time, demonstrate that CGA has protective effects during skin photoaging, especially triggered by UVA-irradiation, and provide rationales for further investigation of CGA being used to prevent or treat skin aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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11 pages, 1505 KiB  
Article
Elevated Alpha 1(I) to Alpha 2(I) Collagen Ratio in Dermal Fibroblasts Possibly Contributes to Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis
by Soichiro Sawamura, Katsunari Makino, Maho Ide, Shuichi Shimada, Ikko Kajihara, Takamitsu Makino, Masatoshi Jinnin and Satoshi Fukushima
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126811 - 18 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2077
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by excessive collagen deposition in the skin and internal organs. Activated fibroblasts are the key effector cells for the overproduction of type I collagen, which comprises the α1(I) and α2(I) chains encoded by COL1A1 and COL1A2, respectively. [...] Read more.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by excessive collagen deposition in the skin and internal organs. Activated fibroblasts are the key effector cells for the overproduction of type I collagen, which comprises the α1(I) and α2(I) chains encoded by COL1A1 and COL1A2, respectively. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of α1(I) and α2(I) collagen in SSc fibroblasts, as well as their co-regulation with each other. The relative expression ratio of COL1A1 to COL1A2 in SSc fibroblasts was significantly higher than that in control fibroblasts. The same result was observed for type I collagen protein levels, indicating that α2(I) collagen is more elevated than α2(I) collagen. Inhibition or overexpression of α1(I) collagen in control fibroblasts affected the α2(I) collagen levels, suggesting that α1(I) collagen might act as an upstream regulator of α2(I) collagen. The local injection of COL1A1 small interfering RNA in a bleomycin-induced SSc mouse model was found to attenuate skin fibrosis. Overall, our data indicate that α2(I) collagen is a potent regulator of type I collagen in SSc; further investigations of the overall regulatory mechanisms of type I collagen may help understand the aberrant collagen metabolism in SSc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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14 pages, 2154 KiB  
Article
Role of ERK Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Target
by Nahoko Zeze, Makiko Kido-Nakahara, Gaku Tsuji, Eriko Maehara, Yuki Sato, Sawako Sakai, Kei Fujishima, Akiko Hashimoto-Hachiya, Masutaka Furue and Takeshi Nakahara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3467; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073467 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3063
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an eczematous skin disorder characterized by type 2 inflammation, barrier disruption, and intense itch. In addition to type 2 cytokines, many other cytokines, such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and interleukin 22 (IL-22), play roles in the [...] Read more.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an eczematous skin disorder characterized by type 2 inflammation, barrier disruption, and intense itch. In addition to type 2 cytokines, many other cytokines, such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and interleukin 22 (IL-22), play roles in the pathogenesis of AD. It has been reported that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is downstream of such cytokines. However, the involvement of the ERK pathway in the pathogenesis of AD has not yet been investigated. We examined the expression of p-ERK in mouse and human AD skin. We also investigated the effects of the topical application of an ERK inhibitor on the dermatitis score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), histological change, and expression of filaggrin, using an AD-like NC/Nga murine model. The effects of an ERK inhibitor on filaggrin expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and on chemokine production from bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were also evaluated. p-ERK was highly expressed in mouse and human AD skin. Topical application of an ERK inhibitor alleviated the clinical symptoms, histological changes, TEWL, and decrease in expression of filaggrin in the AD-like NC/Nga murine model. The ERK inhibitor also restored the IL-4 induced reduction in the expression of filaggrin in NHEK, and inhibited chemokine production from BMDC induced by IL-4. These results indicate that the ERK pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and suggest that the ERK pathway has potential as a therapeutic target for AD in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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14 pages, 3268 KiB  
Article
Elevation of Hyaluronan Synthase by Magnesium Supplementation Mediated through the Activation of GSK3 and CREB in Human Keratinocyte-Derived HaCaT Cells
by Kana Marunaka, Shokoku Shu, Mao Kobayashi, Makiko Goto, Yuji Katsuta, Yuta Yoshino and Akira Ikari
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010071 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3640
Abstract
Skin barrier damage is present in the patients with hereditary disorders of the magnesium channel, but the molecular mechanism has not been fully understood. We found that the expressions of hyaluronan synthase (HAS), HAS2 and HAS3 are influenced by MgCl2 concentration in [...] Read more.
Skin barrier damage is present in the patients with hereditary disorders of the magnesium channel, but the molecular mechanism has not been fully understood. We found that the expressions of hyaluronan synthase (HAS), HAS2 and HAS3 are influenced by MgCl2 concentration in human keratinocyte-derived HaCaT cells. The exposure of cells to a high concentration (5.8 mM) of MgCl2 induced the elevation of HAS2/3 expression, which was inhibited by mRNA knockdown of nonimprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome-like domain containing 4 (NIPAL4). Similarly, the content of hyaluronic acid (HA) was changed according to MgCl2 concentration and the expression of NIPAL4. The MgCl2 supplementation increased the reporter activities of HAS2/3, which were inhibited by NIPAL4 knockdown, indicating that the expressions of HAS2/3 are up-regulated at the transcriptional level. The reporter activities and mRNA levels of HAS2/3, and the production of HA were inhibited by CHIR-99021, a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitor, and naphthol AS-E, a cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) inhibitor. Furthermore, the mutation in putative CREB-binding sites of promoter region in HAS2/3 genes inhibited the MgCl2 supplementation-induced elevation of promoter activity. Our results indicate that the expressions of HAS2/3 are up-regulated by MgCl2 supplementation in HaCaT cells mediated through the activation of GSK3 and CREB. Magnesium may play a pivotal role in maintaining the skin barrier function and magnesium supplementation may be useful to enhance moisturization and wound repair in the skin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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11 pages, 1540 KiB  
Article
Availability of mRNA Obtained from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Testing Mutation Consequences in Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
by Eijiro Akasaka, Hajime Nakano and Daisuke Sawamura
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413369 - 13 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2367
Abstract
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is an inheritable blistering disease caused by mutations in COL7A1, which encodes type VII collagen. To address the issue of genotype-phenotype correlations in DEB, analyzing the consequences of COL7A1 mutations using mRNA is indispensable. Herein we established a [...] Read more.
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is an inheritable blistering disease caused by mutations in COL7A1, which encodes type VII collagen. To address the issue of genotype-phenotype correlations in DEB, analyzing the consequences of COL7A1 mutations using mRNA is indispensable. Herein we established a novel method for testing the effect of mutations in DEB using COL7A1 mRNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We investigated the consequences of four COL7A1 mutations (c.6573 + 1G > C, c.6216 + 5G > T, c.7270C > T and c.2527C > T) in three Japanese individuals with recessive DEB. The novel method detected the consequences of two recurrent COL7A1 mutations (c.6573 + 1G > C, c.6216 + 5G > T) and a novel COL7A1 mutation (c.7270C > T) accurately. In addition, it detected aberrant splicing resulting from a COL7A1 mutation (c.2527C > T) which was previously reported as a nonsense mutation. Furthermore, we revealed that type VII collagen-expressing cells in PBMCs have similar cell surface markers as mesenchymal stem cells; they were CD105+, CD29+, CD45−, and CD34−, suggesting that a small number of mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal stromal cells are circulating in the peripheral blood, which enables us to detect COL7A1 mRNA in PBMCs. Taken together, our novel method for analyzing mutation consequences using mRNA obtained from PBMCs in DEB will significantly contribute to genetic diagnoses and novel therapies for DEB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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Review

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29 pages, 8641 KiB  
Review
Immunological Pathomechanisms of Spongiotic Dermatitis in Skin Lesions of Atopic Dermatitis
by Ryoji Tanei and Yasuko Hasegawa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126682 - 15 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3516
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic skin disease with a complex pathogenesis underlying its heterogeneous clinical phenotypes and endotypes. The skin manifestation of AD reflects the cytokine milieu of a type-2-dominant immunity axis induced by genetic predisposition, innate immunity dysregulation, epidermal barrier [...] Read more.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic skin disease with a complex pathogenesis underlying its heterogeneous clinical phenotypes and endotypes. The skin manifestation of AD reflects the cytokine milieu of a type-2-dominant immunity axis induced by genetic predisposition, innate immunity dysregulation, epidermal barrier defects, and allergic inflammation. However, the detailed pathomechanism of eczematous dermatitis, which is the principal characteristic of AD, remains unclear. This review examines previous studies demonstrating research progress in this area and considers the immunological pathomechanism of “spongiotic dermatitis”, which is the histopathological hallmark of eczematous dermatitis. Studies in this field have revealed the importance of IgE-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity, the Fas/Fas-ligand system, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity in inducing the apoptosis of keratinocytes in spongiotic dermatitis. Recent studies have demonstrated that, together with infiltrating CD4 T cells, IgE-expressing dendritic cells (i.e., inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells and Langerhans cells) that capture specific allergens (i.e., house dust mites) are present in the spongiotic epidermis of lichenified eczema in patients with IgE-allergic AD. These findings suggest that IgE-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of spongiotic dermatitis in the skin lesions of AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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13 pages, 771 KiB  
Review
ISSVA Classification of Vascular Anomalies and Molecular Biology
by Kayo Kunimoto, Yuki Yamamoto and Masatoshi Jinnin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(4), 2358; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23042358 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 86 | Viewed by 6340
Abstract
Vascular anomalies include various diseases, which are classified into two types according to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification: vascular tumors with proliferative changes of endothelial cells, and vascular malformations primarily consisting of structural vascular abnormalities. The most [...] Read more.
Vascular anomalies include various diseases, which are classified into two types according to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification: vascular tumors with proliferative changes of endothelial cells, and vascular malformations primarily consisting of structural vascular abnormalities. The most recent ISSVA classifications, published in 2018, detail the causative genes involved in many lesions. Here, we summarize the latest findings on genetic abnormalities, with the presentation of the molecular pathology of vascular anomalies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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16 pages, 3586 KiB  
Review
The Discovery and Function of Filaggrin
by J. Kenneth Hoober and Laura L. Eggink
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031455 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5064
Abstract
Keratohyalin granules were discovered in the mid-19th century in cells that terminally differentiate to form the outer, cornified layer of the epidermis. The first indications of the composition of these structures emerged in the 1960s from a histochemical stain for histidine, followed by [...] Read more.
Keratohyalin granules were discovered in the mid-19th century in cells that terminally differentiate to form the outer, cornified layer of the epidermis. The first indications of the composition of these structures emerged in the 1960s from a histochemical stain for histidine, followed by radioautographic evidence of a high incidence of histidine incorporation into newly synthesized proteins in cells containing the granules. Research during the next three decades revealed the structure and function of a major protein in these granules, which was initially called the ‘histidine-rich protein’. Steinert and Dale named the protein ‘filaggrin’ in 1981 because of its ability to aggregate keratin intermediate filaments. The human gene for the precursor, ‘profilaggrin,’ was reported in 1991 to encode 10, 11 or 12 nearly identical repeats. Remarkably, the mouse and rat genes encode up to 20 repeats. The lifetime of filaggrin is the time required for keratinocytes in the granular layer to move into the inner cornified layer. During this transition, filaggrin facilitates the collapse of corneocytes into ‘building blocks’ that become an impermeable surface barrier. The subsequent degradation of filaggrin is as remarkable as its synthesis, and the end-products aid in maintaining moisture in the cornified layer. It was apparent that ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis were associated with the absence of this protein. McLean’s team in 2006 identified the cause of these diseases by discovering loss-of-function mutations in the profilaggrin gene, which led to dysfunction of the surface barrier. This story illustrates the complexity in maintaining a healthy, functional epidermis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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14 pages, 733 KiB  
Review
The Role of Podoplanin in Skin Diseases
by Jun Asai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031310 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3821
Abstract
Podoplanin is a sialomucin-like type I transmembrane receptor glycoprotein that is expressed specifically in lymphatic vessels, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles in normal skin. However, under pathological conditions podoplanin expression is upregulated in various cells, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, tumor cells, and inflammatory [...] Read more.
Podoplanin is a sialomucin-like type I transmembrane receptor glycoprotein that is expressed specifically in lymphatic vessels, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles in normal skin. However, under pathological conditions podoplanin expression is upregulated in various cells, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, tumor cells, and inflammatory cells, and plays pivotal roles in different diseases. In psoriasis, podoplanin expression is induced in basal keratinocytes via the JAK-STAT pathway and contributes toward epidermal hyperproliferation. Podoplanin expression on keratinocytes can also promote IL-17 secretion from lymphocytes, promoting chronic inflammation. During wound healing, the podoplanin/CLEC-2 interaction between keratinocytes and platelets regulates re-epithelialization at the wound edge. In skin cancers, podoplanin expresses on tumor cells and promotes their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby accelerating invasion and metastasis. Podoplanin is also expressed in normal peritumoral cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts in melanoma and keratinocytes in extramammary Paget’s disease, which promote tumor progression and predict aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms via which podoplanin mediates these pathological skin conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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Other

7 pages, 962 KiB  
Case Report
Deep Phenotyping of Superficial Epidermolytic Ichthyosis due to a Recurrent Mutation in KRT2
by Yuika Suzuki, Takuya Takeichi, Kana Tanahashi, Yoshinao Muro, Yasushi Suga, Tomoo Ogi and Masashi Akiyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 7791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147791 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1451
Abstract
Superficial epidermolytic ichthyosis (SEI) is an autosomal dominant inherited ichthyosis. SEI is caused by mutations in KRT2 and frequently shows erythroderma and widespread blistering at birth. We report the clinical manifestations of two patients from a Japanese family with SEI caused by a [...] Read more.
Superficial epidermolytic ichthyosis (SEI) is an autosomal dominant inherited ichthyosis. SEI is caused by mutations in KRT2 and frequently shows erythroderma and widespread blistering at birth. We report the clinical manifestations of two patients from a Japanese family with SEI caused by a hotspot mutation, p.Glu487Lys, in KRT2. In addition, we summarize previous reports on SEI patients with the identical mutation. One of the two patients had disease onset at the age of 7 months. The other patient’s age of onset is unknown, but it was in childhood. Neither of the two patients showed erythroderma. To perform deep phenotyping, we studied the age of onset and the frequency of erythroderma in 34 reported SEI cases with the p.Glu487Lys mutation, including the present cases. Among the cases with sufficient clinical information, 44.4% of the cases that were due to p.Glu487Lys in KRT2 occurred at birth. Erythroderma was observed in 11.1% of the cases with p.Glu487Lys in KRT2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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10 pages, 1725 KiB  
Case Report
Identification of Codon 146 KRAS Variants in Isolated Epidermal Nevus and Multiple Lesions in Oculoectodermal Syndrome: Confirmation of the Phenotypic Continuum of Mosaic RASopathies
by Aude Beyens, Laure Dequeker, Hilde Brems, Sandra Janssens, Hannes Syryn, Anne D’Hooghe, Pascale De Paepe, Lieve Vanwalleghem, Annelies Stockman, Elena Vankwikelberge, Sofie De Schepper, Marleen Goeteyn, Patricia Delbeke and Bert Callewaert
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 4036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23074036 - 6 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3190
Abstract
Mosaic RASopathies are a molecularly heterogeneous group of (neuro)cutaneous syndromes with high phenotypical variability. Postzygotic variants in KRAS have been described in oculoectodermal syndrome (OES), encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) and epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS). This study confirms the continuum of mosaic neurocutaneous RASopathies showing [...] Read more.
Mosaic RASopathies are a molecularly heterogeneous group of (neuro)cutaneous syndromes with high phenotypical variability. Postzygotic variants in KRAS have been described in oculoectodermal syndrome (OES), encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) and epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS). This study confirms the continuum of mosaic neurocutaneous RASopathies showing codon 146 KRAS variants in an individual with OES and, for the first time, in an individual with (isolated) epidermal nevus. The presence of a nevus psiloliparus in individuals with OES indicates that this finding is not specific for ECCL and highlights the phenotypical overlap between ECCL and OES. The presence of the somatic KRAS variant in the nevus psiloliparus resolves the underlying molecular etiology of this fatty-tissue nevus. In addition, this finding refutes the theory of non-allelic twin-spotting as an underlying hypothesis to explain the concurrent presence of two different mosaicisms in one individual. The identification of codon 146 KRAS variants in isolated epidermal nevus introduces a new hot spot for this condition, which is useful for increasing molecular genetic testing using targeted gene sequencing panels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Skin Diseases)
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