The Fate of Epidermal Tight Junctions in the stratum corneum: Their Involvement in the Regulation of Desquamation and Phenotypic Expression of Certain Skin Conditions

The study investigated the role of epidermal tight junctions (TJs) in the stratum corneum (SC) and their involvement in skin conditions. It found that TJs contribute to the regulation of desquamation and the phenotypic expression of certain skin conditions, such as ichthyosis hypotrichosis sclerosing cholangitis syndrome and peeling skin disease. TJs were shown to enhance SC cohesion and slow desquamation by impeding enzyme access, suggesting a compensatory role in maintaining the skin's permeability barrier. The study also noted that TJs could be upregulated in response to SC barrier disruption, indicating their potential as targets for therapeutic interventions in skin disorders.