Epidermal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production Is Required for Permeability Barrier Homeostasis, Dermal Angiogenesis, and the Development of Epidermal Hyperplasia

The study demonstrated that epidermal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) was essential for maintaining permeability barrier homeostasis, dermal angiogenesis, and the development of epidermal hyperplasia. In hairless mice, acute barrier disruption led to increased VEGF-A expression, crucial for epidermal repair. Mice lacking epidermal VEGF-A showed abnormal barrier function, reduced dermal capillary density, and impaired vascular permeability. These findings suggested that VEGF-A was vital for normal skin function and could be linked to psoriasis pathogenesis, characterized by barrier abnormalities and increased VEGF production. The study used hairless and epidermal VEGF knockout mice to explore these mechanisms.