Dysfunction of keratinocyte adhesion

The document discussed the critical role of keratinocyte adhesion in maintaining skin integrity and its dysfunction leading to various skin disorders, including alopecia, keratoderma, and nail deformities. It highlighted the importance of intercellular junctions like desmosomes, adherens junctions, and tight junctions in keratinocyte adhesion. Mutations, autoimmune antibodies, and bacterial toxins disrupting these junctions were linked to diseases such as bullous skin disease and pemphigus. The document reviewed studies demonstrating the genetic and molecular basis of these conditions, including the role of desmosomal components and calcium pumps in skin and hair morphogenesis. It also noted the potential therapeutic effects of cholinergic agonists in improving keratinocyte adhesion in pemphigus.