Genetic Disorders of Keratin: Are Scarring Alopecias a Sub-Set?

The document explored the connection between keratin mutations and scarring alopecias, focusing on genetic skin disorders caused by mutations in keratins such as K5/K14, K1/K10, and K9. It involved a study with transgenic mice carrying a mutant K6 gene, which developed progressive scarring alopecia and keratosis, indicating a potential model for keratin-related disorders. The research suggested that the integrity of the keratin filament network was essential for maintaining skin structure, and mutations could result in hair loss by damaging the outer root sheath.