Altered skin development and impaired proliferative and inflammatory responses in transgenic mice overexpressing the glucocorticoid receptor

The study investigated the role of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in skin development by creating transgenic mice that overexpressed GR in the epidermis. These mice exhibited altered skin development, including variable-sized skin lesions, epidermal hypoplasia, underdeveloped hair follicles, and in severe cases, absence of skin in certain regions. The abnormalities resembled ectodermal dysplasia, a condition seen in humans. In adult transgenic mice, the application of a tumor promoter did not induce the expected hyperplasia or increase in proinflammatory cytokines, highlighting the anti-inflammatory role of GR. This effect was partly due to interference with NF-κB, reducing its binding activity without affecting the transcription of its inhibitor, IκBα.