Loss of Keratin K2 Expression Causes Aberrant Aggregation of K10, Hyperkeratosis, and Inflammation

The study demonstrated that keratin K2 played a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the epidermis in mice, particularly in the ear, sole, and tail skin. Deletion of K2 led to skin abnormalities such as acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, corneocyte fragility, increased transepidermal water loss, and local inflammation. Although K1 partially compensated for the loss of K2, many K2-deficient keratinocytes developed large aggregates of K10, indicating that K2 was essential for proper cytoskeletal organization. The findings highlighted that K2 was a necessary binding partner for K10, and imbalanced expression of these keratins caused aggregate formation.