The Human Keratins: Biology And Pathology

May 2008 in “ Histochemistry and Cell Biology ”

Roland Moll, Markus Divo, Lutz Langbein

keratins intermediate filament proteins hair follicles K5 K7 K8/K18 K19 K20 epithelial cells wound healing apoptosis transgenic mouse models hereditary keratin diseases hair proteins skin proteins

Studysummary This review summarizes the cell type distribution and functional significance of human keratins, emphasizing their roles in tumor diagnosis and potential clinical applications, and reports no new clinical findings.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

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research Hair Follicle-Specific Keratins And Their Diseases

138 citations , March 2007 in “Experimental cell research”

This review discusses hair keratins and hair follicle-specific epithelial keratins and their association with inherited hair disorders, reporting no new clinical results.

research Novel Type I Hair Keratins K39 And K40 Are The Last To Be Expressed In Differentiation Of The Hair: Completion Of The Human Hair Keratin Catalog

70 citations , February 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

K39 and K40 are the last keratins expressed in hair development, completing the hair keratin catalog.

research Keratin Expression Provides Novel Insight Into the Morphogenesis and Function of the Companion Layer in Hair Follicles

38 citations , December 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Keratin patterns in hair follicles help understand hair growth and potential hair and nail disorders.

research K25 (K25irs1), K26 (K25irs2), K27 (K25irs3), And K28 (K25irs4) Represent The Type I Inner Root Sheath Keratins Of The Human Hair Follicle

93 citations , July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study describes the expression patterns of type I inner root sheath keratin proteins K25–K28 in human hair follicles, highlighting their distinct distribution within different layers.

research Keratin 17 Modulates Hair Follicle Cycling in a TNFα-Dependent Fashion

169 citations , May 2006 in “Genes & Development”

This study found that keratin 17 and TNFα play interdependent roles in regulating hair follicle cycling, with TNFα required for the anagen–catagen transition and its ablation partially rescuing hair cycling defects in K17-null mice.

research A Mutation in the Hair Matrix and Cuticle Keratin KRTHB5 Gene Causes Ectodermal Dysplasia of Hair and Nail Type

60 citations , March 2006 in “Journal of Medical Genetics”

This study identified a homozygous missense mutation in the KRTHB5 gene linked to pure hair–nail ectodermal dysplasias in a large consanguineous Pakistani family, providing new insights into the condition's molecular pathogenesis.

research Human Hair Keratin-Associated Proteins

226 citations , January 2006 in “International review of cytology”

Keratin-associated proteins are crucial for hair strength and structure.

research Expression Patterns of Hair and Epithelial Keratins and Transcription Factors HOXC13, LEF1, and β-Catenin in a Malignant Pilomatricoma: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

27 citations , December 2005 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This study found that while malignant pilomatricomas maintain some keratin expression patterns seen in benign counterparts, they notably express additional epithelial keratins, potentially influencing tumor calcification.

research Characterization of New Members of the Human Type II Keratin Gene Family and a General Evaluation of the Keratin Gene Domain on Chromosome 12q13.13

92 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Keratins of the Human Hair Follicle

276 citations , January 2005 in “International review of cytology”

More research is needed to understand how hair keratins work and their role in hair disorders.

The Human Type I Keratin Gene Family: Characterization of New Hair Follicle Specific Members and Evaluation of the Chromosome 17q21.2 Gene Domain

research The Human Type I Keratin Gene Family: Characterization of New Hair Follicle Specific Members and Evaluation of the Chromosome 17q21.2 Gene Domain

70 citations , December 2004 in “Differentiation”

This study identifies six novel keratin genes from the chromosome 17q21.2 region, suggesting their association with hair follicles, while all 27 keratin genes in the domain have been characterized transcriptionally.

research Expression of Hair Keratins in the Adult Nail Unit: An Immunohistochemical Analysis of Onychogenesis in the Proximal Nail Fold, Matrix, and Nail Bed

110 citations , August 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers identified the ventral matrix as the primary source of nail plate formation, while the dorsal portion is generated by the apical matrix.

research On The Regulation Of Hair Keratin Expression: Lessons From Studies In Pilomatricomas

27 citations , May 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research An Unusual Ala12Thr Polymorphism in the 1A Alpha-Helical Segment of the Companion Layer-Specific Keratin K6hf: Evidence for a Risk Factor in the Etiology of the Common Hair Disorder Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

88 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Hair Keratins And Hair Follicle-Specific Epithelial Keratins

31 citations , January 2004 in “Methods in cell biology”

Hair and follicle keratins differ in structure and expression, especially in cysteine content.

research Type II Epithelial Keratin 6hf (K6hf) Is Expressed in the Companion Layer, Matrix, and Medulla in Anagen-Stage Hair Follicles

60 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that keratin 6hf, a type II keratin, is expressed in specific regions of mouse and human hair and suggests potential interactions with keratin 17, impacting hair development and associated disorders.

research K6irs1, K6irs2, K6irs3, And K6irs4 Represent The Inner-Root-Sheath-Specific Type II Epithelial Keratins Of The Human Hair Follicle

130 citations , April 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study reports the cloning and expression details of two new human type II keratins, K6irs3 and K6irs4, in the hair follicle's inner root sheath, suggesting a distinct functional role related to hair structure.

research Cloning of Human, Murine, and Marsupial Keratin 7 and a Survey of K7 Expression in the Mouse

35 citations , October 2002 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

This study reports that K7 expression patterns observed in mice are similar to those in humans, revealing previously unreported expression in the gastrointestinal tract, tongue, and various "hard" epithelial tissues.

research Keratin 17 Null Mice Exhibit Age- And Strain-Dependent Alopecia

122 citations , June 2002 in “Genes & Development”

This study found that K17 is crucial for the structural integrity and survival of hair-producing cells, with K17 null mice developing alopecia due to hair fragility and follicular alterations.

research A Novel Epithelial Keratin, hK6irs1, Is Expressed Differentially in All Layers of the Inner Root Sheath, Including Specialized Huxley Cells of the Human Hair Follicle

86 citations , May 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study characterized a new human keratin, hK6irs1, specifically found in the inner root sheath of hair follicles, which suggests its role in the structural integrity and guidance of growing hair shafts.

research Is Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome a Keratin Disorder?

84 citations , April 2002 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that a keratin mutation may cause diffuse partial woolly hair associated with loose anagen hair syndrome in some families, but other genetic factors could play a role in different cases.

research Cytokeratins as Markers of Follicular Differentiation

121 citations , December 2001 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This study found that trichoblastomas and nodular basal cell carcinomas have similar cytokeratin expression patterns, indicating differentiation towards the outer root sheath epithelium.

research The Catalog of Human Hair Keratins

272 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry”

This study cataloged human type II hair keratins, detailing their expression and differentiation roles in hair follicles and comparing them with type I keratins to explore keratin-pairing principles.

research Discovery of a Novel Murine Keratin 6 (K6) Isoform Explains the Absence of Hair and Nail Defects in Mice Deficient for K6a and K6b

101 citations , August 2001 in “The Journal of Cell Biology”

This study found that while most mice lacking MK6a and MK6b genes died from tongue epithelium disintegration, about 25% survived and showed no hair or nail defects due to a newly discovered MK6hf gene.

research Expression of Type I Hair Keratins in Follicular Tumors

26 citations , May 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study suggests that pilomatrixomas' maturation towards areas of shadow cells is linked to a gradual loss of differentiation-specific hair keratins, supporting a hair matrix origin for the tumor.

research Delayed Wound Healing in Keratin 6a Knockout Mice

149 citations , July 2000 in “Molecular and Cellular Biology”

This study found that MK6a-deficient mice showed delayed reepithelialization after superficial wounding but not after full-thickness skin wounds, suggesting MK6a plays a role in activating follicular keratinocytes post-wounding.

research Keratin 17 Expression in the Hard Epithelial Context of the Hair and Nail, and Its Relevance for the Pachyonychia Congenita Phenotype

88 citations , June 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Keratin 17 is important for hair and nail structure and affects pachyonychia congenita symptoms.

research Expression of the Hair Stem Cell-Specific Keratin 15 in Pilar Tumors of the Skin

54 citations , September 1999 in “PubMed”

This study suggests that immunostaining for Keratin 15 may be a useful tool for differentiating between basal cell carcinoma and trichoepithelioma.

research The Catalog of Human Hair Keratins

235 citations , July 1999 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study establishes a catalog of human type I hair keratins and identifies their specific roles and expression patterns during hair differentiation and growth in scalp follicles.

research Cytokeratin 15 Expression in Trichoepitheliomas and a Subset of Basal Cell Carcinomas Suggests They Originate from Hair Follicle Stem Cells

133 citations , March 1999 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This study found that keratin 15 expression in trichoepitheliomas and some basal cell carcinomas suggests a link to hair follicle stem cells in the bulge.

research Keratin 15 Expression in Stratified Epithelia: Downregulation in Activated Keratinocytes

198 citations , March 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that keratin 15 expression is downregulated in hyperproliferative conditions like psoriasis and hypertrophic scars, suggesting it is not compatible with keratinocyte activation.

research A Novel Human Type II Cytokeratin, K6hf, Specifically Expressed in the Companion Layer of the Hair Follicle

139 citations , December 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified a new type II cytokeratin, named K6hf, exclusively expressed in the companion layer of the human hair follicle, distinguishing it from other keratins and suggesting a unique biochemical role.

research Mutations in the Hair Cortex Keratin HHB6 Cause the Inherited Hair Disease Monilethrix

175 citations , August 1997 in “Nature Genetics”

research Expression Pattern of Human Hair Keratin Basic 1 (hHbl) in Hair Follicle and Pilomatricoma

8 citations , April 1997 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that hHbl gene expression is localized in the cortical cells of the human hair shaft and is notably high in pilomatricoma cells transitioning to hair shaft keratinocytes.

research Keratin 19: Predicted Amino Acid Sequence and Broad Tissue Distribution Suggest It Evolved from Keratinocyte Keratins

238 citations , May 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Patterns of Expression of Trichocytic and Epithelial Cytokeratins in Mammalian Tissues

124 citations , December 1988 in “Differentiation”

This study found that T cytokeratins appear more gradually and with complex coexpression patterns in developing nail structures compared to the more abrupt transition in hair follicles.

research Patterns of Expression of Trichocytic and Epithelial Cytokeratins in Mammalian Tissues II: Concomitant and Mutually Exclusive Synthesis of Trichocytic and Epithelial Cytokeratins in Diverse Human and Bovine Tissues (Hair Follicle, Nail Bed and Matrix, Lingual Papilla, Thymic Reticulum)

187 citations , May 1988 in “Differentiation”

This study found that trichocytic cytokeratins, typically found in hair, are also present in nails, filiform papillae of the tongue, and the epithelial reticulum of the thymus.

research Concerted Gene Duplications in the Two Keratin Gene Families

53 citations , May 1988 in “Journal of Molecular Evolution”

research Patterns of Expression of Trichocytic and Epithelial Cytokeratins in Mammalian Tissues: Human and Bovine Hair Follicles

248 citations , April 1988 in “Differentiation”

In this study, researchers observed that trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins have distinct expression patterns within various human and bovine hair follicle cells, contributing to understanding hair follicle development and growth.

research Differential Expression of Keratin 19 in Normal Human Epithelial Tissues Revealed by Monospecific Monoclonal Antibodies

159 citations , October 1986 in “The Histochemical Journal”

research The Complement of Native Alpha-Keratin Polypeptides of Hair-Forming Cells: A Subset of Eight Polypeptides That Differ from Epithelial Cytokeratins

198 citations , October 1986 in “Differentiation”

research Hair Keratin: Composition, Structure and Biogenesis

45 citations , January 1986

research Different Keratin Polypeptides in Epidermis and Other Epithelia of Human Skin: A Specific Cytokeratin of Molecular Weight 46,000 in Epithelia of the Pilosebaceous Tract and Basal Cell Epitheliomas

277 citations , October 1982 in “The Journal of Cell Biology”

This study found that the cytokeratin patterns in skin epithelia can distinguish between different types, with basal-cell epitheliomas showing a striking similarity to the pilosebaceous tract.