Dysfunction of Keratinocyte Adhesion

The document discussed the dysfunction of keratinocyte adhesion and its implications for skin conditions, including alopecia, keratoderma, and nail deformities. It highlighted the role of intercellular junctions like desmosomes in maintaining skin integrity and how mutations or external factors disrupting these junctions could lead to various skin diseases. Key studies demonstrated that mutations in proteins such as plakoglobin, desmoglein, and ATP2A2 were linked to conditions like ectodermal dysplasia, striate palmoplantar keratoderma, and Darier disease. Additionally, the document noted the potential therapeutic effects of cholinergic agonists in improving keratinocyte adhesion in pemphigus. Overall, the research underscored the critical role of desmosomal components in skin and hair morphogenesis.