Directed Expression of Keratin 16 to the Progenitor Basal Cells of Transgenic Mouse Skin Delays Skin Maturation

The study examined the effects of expressing human keratin 16 (K16) in the progenitor basal cells of transgenic mouse skin, which resulted in delayed skin maturation and disrupted hair growth. Mice expressing K16 showed a thickened, hyperproliferative epidermis, flaky skin, and an absence of the first hair coat, with hair growth beginning around 4-5 weeks after birth. The expression of K16 altered keratinocyte responses, affecting cell adhesion and proliferation, and was linked to changes in keratin filament networks and signaling pathways, particularly involving the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The findings highlighted the role of K16 in modulating skin and hair follicle development, suggesting its potential impact on keratinocyte activation and skin morphology.