Harnessing Neuroendocrine Controls of Keratin Expression: A New Therapeutic Strategy for Skin Diseases?

The document discusses the role of neuroendocrine regulation in human skin biology, particularly focusing on keratins, which are key structural components of epithelial cells. It highlights that neurohormones and neuropeptides such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin, opioids, prolactin, and cannabinoid receptor 1-ligands can significantly influence keratin gene and protein expression in the epidermis and hair follicle epithelium. The authors suggest that these neuroendocrine pathways are crucial for maintaining skin and hair follicle homeostasis. They propose that targeting these pathways could lead to new treatments for skin diseases with abnormal keratin expression, such as psoriasis and genodermatoses, as well as enhance skin wound healing and hair growth. The document recommends using human skin and hair follicle organ culture assays as models to investigate these neuroendocrine mechanisms for potential therapeutic applications.