Endocrine Systems of the Skin: A 2019 Review

The 2019 review paper discussed the skin's function as an endocrine organ, producing hormones and responding to stress factors like UV radiation, which can influence the development of skin diseases. It detailed the skin's local HPA axis homolog and its role in conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and skin cancer, highlighting the impact of stress-induced hormone levels. The skin also synthesizes corticosteroids and sex hormones, with enzymes like CYP11A1 playing a role in these processes. The skin's response to UVB radiation includes the production of vitamin D3, and the presence of a homologous hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in the skin may be linked to thyroid disease-related skin lesions. The review emphasized the skin's complex metabolic and hormonal activities, suggesting the need for further research into their implications for skin and allergic diseases.