TLDR Desmosomes are crucial for human skin development, increasing in density as the skin matures.
This review examined the development of human epidermis, emphasizing the role of desmosomes in cell differentiation and tissue morphogenesis. Desmosomes were identified early in fetal development, with their density increasing as the epidermis matured, forming multiple layers by 21-24 weeks of embryonic gestational age (EGA). The study highlighted differences between human and murine epidermal development, noting genetic variations and the presence of desmosomal proteins. It observed that desmosomal protein density increased over time, with significant changes in keratin expression and desmosomal protein distribution by 21 weeks, resembling mature epidermis. The study also discussed the importance of Wnt/β catenin signaling, calcium in desmosome assembly, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family in skin proliferation and differentiation. The document concluded that more human-specific studies were needed to better understand skin development and its pathological conditions.
72 citations
,
April 2008 in “Organogenesis” Wnt signaling is crucial for skin and hair development and its disruption can cause skin tumors.
253 citations
,
March 1994 in “Developmental dynamics” Apoptosis is essential for human skin development and forming a functional epidermis.
193 citations
,
June 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 292 citations
,
October 1985 in “The Journal of Cell Biology” Keratins and filaggrin change as fetal skin develops, marking key stages of skin formation.
65 citations
,
July 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
3 citations
,
September 2005 in “Experimental dermatology” The cornified envelope is crucial for skin's barrier function and involves key proteins and genetic factors.
December 2022 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” MicroRNA-205 helps hair grow by changing the stiffness and contraction of hair follicle cells.
63 citations
,
March 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology” Collagen XVII is vital for skin structure, hair stem cell support, and skin cell regulation.
1 citations
,
November 2023 in “iScience” A protein called desmoglein 3 is important for keeping hair follicle stem cells inactive and helps in their regeneration.
31 citations
,
August 2005 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” The study concluded that PKP1 is essential for skin integrity and hair growth, and its dysfunction causes the symptoms of ectodermal dysplasia/skin fragility syndrome.
