Cell Death in Skin Function, Inflammation, and Disease

The document discusses the role of various forms of cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, and cornification, in skin function, inflammation, and disease. It highlights that apoptosis, a regulated process that eliminates unnecessary or damaged cells, plays a key role in skin homeostasis and hair follicle renewal. Defects in the regulation of intrinsic apoptosis can affect the hair follicle cycle, leading to poor hair growth, premature greying, and alopecia. Necroptosis, a highly inflammatory process, can reduce overall tissue inflammation by removing damaged or infected cells. Pyroptosis, another form of cell death, is characterized by pore formation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The document also discusses the role of inflammasomes in skin function and inflammation. Ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death triggered by the imbalance of intracellular iron homeostasis, has been associated with psoriasis and acute inflammation in sunburn. The document concludes that a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell death and their specific contributions to inflammation in the skin could lead to improved treatments for inflammatory skin diseases.