Eph/Ephrin Signaling in Epidermal Differentiation and Disease

The 2012 review discusses the significance of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in the epidermis and hair follicles, emphasizing their role in keratinocyte behaviors such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death. It highlights the importance of Eph/ephrin signaling in the maturation of intercellular junctional complexes during keratinocyte differentiation and its implications in skin diseases like cancer, wound healing defects, and inflammatory conditions. The review notes the distribution of these molecules in the skin, with ephrin-A ligands concentrated in basal keratinocytes and EphA receptors present in all viable epidermal layers. It also points out the complexity of Eph/ephrin signaling and the need for more research to fully understand its role in skin biology. EphA2 is identified as a key receptor in keratinocyte signaling, with potential for therapeutic intervention in dermatological disorders. Alterations in Eph/ephrin signaling are linked to various skin diseases, suggesting that targeting this pathway could be beneficial for treating skin conditions.