A Novel Actor in Skin Biology: The Mineralocorticoid Receptor

The study highlighted the role of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in skin biology, particularly its involvement in hair follicle morphogenesis and epidermal homeostasis. Using mouse models, researchers found that MR expression in the skin varied during development and that MR knockout led to increased epidermal thickness and abnormal differentiation marker expression. However, these changes normalized postnatally, suggesting compensatory mechanisms. The study also noted that MR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have overlapping but distinct roles in the epidermis. Importantly, MR overactivation by glucocorticoids could contribute to skin atrophy and alopecia, which could be mitigated by MR antagonists like spironolactone and eplerenone. This research proposed that topical MR blockers might limit glucocorticoid-induced skin damage, emphasizing MR's significance in dermato-endocrinology.