Overexpression of the Calcium Sensing Receptor Accelerates Epidermal Differentiation and Permeability Barrier Formation In Vivo

The study investigated the effects of overexpressing the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in the basal cells of transgenic mice, which accelerated epidermal differentiation and permeability barrier formation. Enhanced CaSR signaling led to early formation of the epidermal permeability barrier and accelerated hair growth at birth. The overexpression stimulated the production of keratins and markers of terminal differentiation, suggesting interactions with pathways like EGF and Wnt/Ca2+. The transgenic mice showed a thicker epidermis with more extensive spinous and granular layers, although these changes were not sustained throughout life. The study provided insights into CaSR's role in epidermal differentiation and hair follicle development.